Slum residents describe their lives as happy
Over 12 million people in the country live in favelas, most of whom in big cities
A survey conducted in 63 slums, or favelas, in 35 cities throughout Brazil, shows that 94 percent of favela residents say they are happy, and three thirds would not leave their neighborhood if their income doubled, in spite of being strongly critical of the quality of public services provided in their communities. The study was made into a book entitled Um País Chamado Favela (literally, A Country Named Favela), launched on Sunday (Sep 14) in Rio de Janeiro.
Written by Celso Athayde, founder of the Unified Center for the Favelas (“Cufa”), and Renato Meirelles, from the Data Popular Institute, the book is the most comprehensive work ever published on the Brazilian slums.
As part of the research that originated the book, 2 thousand people were interviewed.
The book will be given to all candidates running for presidency in the coming October elections. “We believe that the debate about the favelas must not serve as a flag to party A, B, or C. It has to be a flag for Brazilian society in a discussion over public policy, regardless of the leader taking up office,” Meirelles said.
The figures reveal that over 12 million people in the country live in the favelas, most of whom in big cities. “They're predominantly urban [areas], and 89 percent are located in metropolitan regions,” Meirelles says, adding that the majority of the population in the slums is young and black.
According to Meirelles, slum dwellers are sharply critical of the quality of the public services, especially security, basic sanitation, lighting, health care and land ownership. “The income in the favela has improved, but the quality of public services hasn't improved at the same pace,” he argued.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Slum residents describe their lives as happy
