{"id":76232,"date":"2023-11-08T11:43:57","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T14:43:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=76232"},"modified":"2025-09-13T14:07:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T17:07:14","slug":"could-it-be-the-end-of-abandonment-residents-join-hands-to-revitalize-a-little-piece-of-heaven-in-turano-favela-images","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=76232","title":{"rendered":"Could It Be the End of Abandonment? Residents Join Hands to Revitalize &#8216;A Little Piece of Heaven&#8217;, in Turano Favela [IMAGES]"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Collective-action-team-at-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceucourt-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-76249\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Collective-action-team-at-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceucourt-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Collective-action-team-at-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceucourt-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Collective-action-team-at-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceucourt-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Collective-action-team-at-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceucourt-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Collective-action-team-at-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceucourt-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3PoKAFv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/i><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><i><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\"><em><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-23766\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/PT-e1439583827971.png\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" \/><\/em><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<h4>Concerned by the neglect facing Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, or &#8220;Little Piece of Heaven&#8221;, as the area atop the Rio de Janeiro favela <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/33Fp2Jx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Morro do Turano<\/a> is known, current and former residents revitalized the area where the <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/1kZa3h9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">North Zone<\/a> community was established nearly 90 years ago.<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For some time now, we have been hearing about climate change, its causes and consequences, and the importance of preserving the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3LNyymT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">environment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, issues concerning environmentalists and authorities the world over. In Brazil, another concern is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/32aHwqF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">environmental racism<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, since the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">people <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3EVJsSJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">most affected<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by climate change are those living in favelas and peripheral areas. They are faced with <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2VYw34i\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">landslides<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the overflow of<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3lPykBL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">polluted and silted rivers<\/a> during <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2OYSYuD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">heavy rains<\/a>, and the lack of <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2QZEHNT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">proper waste collection<\/a> by the State. <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/45q7dyf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Garbage<\/a> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clogs manholes and ditches, pollutes rivers, streams and springs, causing flooding during the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/1Q0FaMT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rainy season<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76339\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76339\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/View-from-atop-Pedacinho-doCeu-Morro-do-Turano-photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76339 size-full\" title=\"View from atop Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in Morro do Turano, in Rio de Janeiro's North Zone. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando.\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/View-from-atop-Pedacinho-doCeu-Morro-do-Turano-photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"View from atop Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in Morro do Turano, in Rio de Janeiro's North Zone. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando.\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/View-from-atop-Pedacinho-doCeu-Morro-do-Turano-photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/View-from-atop-Pedacinho-doCeu-Morro-do-Turano-photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/View-from-atop-Pedacinho-doCeu-Morro-do-Turano-photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/View-from-atop-Pedacinho-doCeu-Morro-do-Turano-photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76339\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">View from atop Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in Morro do Turano, in Rio de Janeiro&#8217;s North Zone. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the city of Rio de Janeiro, between the high-end North Zone neighborhoods of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/30mMPwy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tijuca<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3snL5qg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rio Comprido<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, one of the areas that suffers from changes to climate and the impacts of heavy rainfall is Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the top part of Morro do Turano. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3CM1l7E\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Residents have been concerned<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with landslides and falling rocks for some time, and complain about <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/1L0MAtd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">government neglect and abandonment<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76346\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76346\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-group-meets-at-the-Raia-court-photo-Joao-fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76346 size-full\" title=\"The group that promoted the collective action to revitalize Pedacinho do C\u00e9u meets at the Raia sports court, across from Z\u00f3i's bar. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-group-meets-at-the-Raia-court-photo-Joao-fernando.jpg\" alt=\"The group that promoted the collective action to revitalize Pedacinho do C\u00e9u meets at the Raia sports court, across from Z\u00f3i's bar. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-group-meets-at-the-Raia-court-photo-Joao-fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-group-meets-at-the-Raia-court-photo-Joao-fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-group-meets-at-the-Raia-court-photo-Joao-fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-group-meets-at-the-Raia-court-photo-Joao-fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76346\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The group that promoted the collective action to revitalize Pedacinho do C\u00e9u meets at the Raia sports court, across from Z\u00f3i&#8217;s bar. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tired of waiting for public action, a group of residents gathered on April 1, 2023, and organized a first collective action to revitalize the area. T<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/2WyYfyp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">by us for us<\/a>&#8221; action sought to make their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3fYkBps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">favela climate resilient<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and improve the neighborhood\u2019s living conditions. The group started the area&#8217;s transformation where the community was originally founded, Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, and, following the slogan \u201cresidents lend a hand,\u201d set out for action.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76348\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76348\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Group-responsible-for-collective-action-climbs-toward-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76348 size-full\" title=\"Priscila Alves, Aluan Gomes, and Pipa Vieira climb toward Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando. \" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Group-responsible-for-collective-action-climbs-toward-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Priscila Alves, Aluan Gomes, and Pipa Vieira climb toward Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando. \" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Group-responsible-for-collective-action-climbs-toward-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Group-responsible-for-collective-action-climbs-toward-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Group-responsible-for-collective-action-climbs-toward-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Group-responsible-for-collective-action-climbs-toward-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76348\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Priscila Alves, Aluan Gomes, and Pipa Vieira climb toward Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, atop Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Priscila Alves, a filmmaker, photographer and musician, and Aluan Gomes, a historian and teacher, both born and raised in the community, planned the event and invited singer, composer, <em>pagode<\/em> musician and social activist <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3ovJrB1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pipa Vieira<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to join in the action. For these three, who are now former residents of the favela, the place has a lot of ancestry, is filled with stories of struggles, and bears witness to the resistance of former residents in their fight for housing rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to accounts from community elders, the first residents were exploited by <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3CBF7nH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">land grabber Emilio Turano<\/a>, an Italian immigrant <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/445MfUS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">who claimed ownwership<\/a> of the land, despite not being its rightful owner<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Illegally, he charged <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">exorbitant<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fees from those who built their homes there. With the support of lawyers and counselors, they managed to expel him from the community <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the mid-1930s and 1940s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alves, Gomes and Vieira have a strong connection with this place, marked from the beginning by its residents\u2019 struggle. They say they are continuing the elders&#8217; fight for security of tenure, ensuring that the area is not abandoned. The group intends to bring visibility, drawing the attention of residents from other parts of Turano and the government.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76349\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76349\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-climb-Turano-toward-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76349 size-full\" title=\"Organizers of the collective action climb Turano toward Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-climb-Turano-toward-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Organizers of the collective action climb Turano toward Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-climb-Turano-toward-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-climb-Turano-toward-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-climb-Turano-toward-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-climb-Turano-toward-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76349\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Organizers of the collective action climb Turano toward Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alves recalls that it all started during a conversation she had with her mother about her grandmother&#8217;s vacant land in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. She wanted to understand the current state of the area and if it was still possible to develop it. Her idea was to set up a meeting place for sharing ideas and fostering community culture and art. She sought out her cousin to get more information and made visits to Pedacinho do C\u00e9u to listen and exchange ideas with neighbors.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMy reference of collective actions comes from Z\u00f3i, who lives in Raia\u2014from the older generation that used to get together to help build each other\u2019s homes, remodel each other\u2019s homes. So, I said: \u2018Let\u2019s start the first environmental revitalization mutual aid group, with a whole vibe of a collective action, so everyone can connect. Long-time residents coming together to make things happen.\u2019 I gave a lot of thought to putting together a group to renovate the old sports court in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u and to building a library. The whole idea is to encourage the community to start using the area again.\u201d \u2014 Priscila Alves<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76350\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76350\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-of-Turano-locals-climbs-upper-part-to-fight-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-abandonment-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76350 size-full\" title=\"A collective action group formed by Turano locals, who are now former residents, climbs the hill toward the upper part of the favela to fight the abandonment of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-of-Turano-locals-climbs-upper-part-to-fight-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-abandonment-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"A collective action group formed by Turano locals, who are now former residents, climbs the hill toward the upper part of the favela to fight the abandonment of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-of-Turano-locals-climbs-upper-part-to-fight-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-abandonment-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-of-Turano-locals-climbs-upper-part-to-fight-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-abandonment-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-of-Turano-locals-climbs-upper-part-to-fight-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-abandonment-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-of-Turano-locals-climbs-upper-part-to-fight-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-abandonment-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76350\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A collective action group formed by Turano <em>crias<\/em> (born-and-raised), who are now former residents, climbs the hill toward the top of the favela to fight the abandonment of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>A Quick Stop to Rest and Reminisce<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first collective action to revitalize Pedacinho do C\u00e9u had the Raia sports court as a gathering spot, a traditional and well-known place in the community, located at the top of the favela, just below Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. The event began with a roundtable discussion and a breakfast offered by the organizers and participants.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76351\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76351\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Breakfast-organized-by-the-locals-before-the-first-collective-action-to-revitalize-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76351 size-full\" title=\"Breakfast organized by locals before the first collective action to revitalize Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Breakfast-organized-by-the-locals-before-the-first-collective-action-to-revitalize-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Breakfast organized by locals before the first collective action to revitalize Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Breakfast-organized-by-the-locals-before-the-first-collective-action-to-revitalize-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Breakfast-organized-by-the-locals-before-the-first-collective-action-to-revitalize-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Breakfast-organized-by-the-locals-before-the-first-collective-action-to-revitalize-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Breakfast-organized-by-the-locals-before-the-first-collective-action-to-revitalize-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76351\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Breakfast organized by long-time residents before the first collective action to revitalize Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the end of the meeting, everyone walked up the hill towards Pedacinho do C\u00e9u to begin the work. During the climb, residents introduced the area to outsiders, planning where they would start cleaning and where the site of Morro do Turano\u2019s first <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">community<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> garden would be.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76352\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76352\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Group-catches-their-breath-after-the-climb-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76352 size-full\" title=\"The group stops to catch their breath after the climb and to enjoy the beautiful view in front of Marquinho's home, one of the area's residents. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Group-catches-their-breath-after-the-climb-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"The group stops to catch their breath after the climb and to enjoy the beautiful view in front of Marquinho's home, one of the area's residents. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Group-catches-their-breath-after-the-climb-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Group-catches-their-breath-after-the-climb-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Group-catches-their-breath-after-the-climb-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Group-catches-their-breath-after-the-climb-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76352\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The group stops to catch their breath after the climb and to enjoy the beautiful view in front of Marquinho&#8217;s home, one of the area&#8217;s residents. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The place chosen to kickstart the revitalization was the local sports court, a spot filled with cherished memories of the past. Before starting the work, the residents began to reminisce about when the Pedacinho do C\u00e9u court was more frequently used by the community and the events that took place there. Two of these events were remembered with great affection and nostalgia. The \u201cArrai\u00e1 da Tia Ana,\u201d a traditional June festival organized in the 1980s and 1990s by a former resident, drew people from all corners of the favela and neighboring communities. Another memorable event remembered was the \u201cBall of the Roses,\u201d held around the same time as the Arrai\u00e1 da Tia Ana. The group recalled how crowded the party used to get, with gentlemen handing roses to the ladies they chose for a dance. The party took place on weekends and, according to residents, left behind fond memories.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76353\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76353\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-begins-by-the-sports-court-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-and-brought-life-to-the-area-Children-once-again-play-in-the-abandoned-area-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76353 size-full\" title=\"Before it even started, the collective action brought back life to the area with children once again playing in the abandoned sports court. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-begins-by-the-sports-court-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-and-brought-life-to-the-area-Children-once-again-play-in-the-abandoned-area-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Before it even started, the collective action brought back life to the area with children once again playing in the abandoned sports court. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando \" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-begins-by-the-sports-court-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-and-brought-life-to-the-area-Children-once-again-play-in-the-abandoned-area-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-begins-by-the-sports-court-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-and-brought-life-to-the-area-Children-once-again-play-in-the-abandoned-area-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-begins-by-the-sports-court-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-and-brought-life-to-the-area-Children-once-again-play-in-the-abandoned-area-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Collective-action-begins-by-the-sports-court-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-and-brought-life-to-the-area-Children-once-again-play-in-the-abandoned-area-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76353\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Before it even started, the collective action brought back life to the area with children once again playing in the abandoned sports court. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Residents also mentioned the soccer and dodgeball tournaments that took place on the court and were always packed with people. Many remembered a moment lived on the site and the games that are still memorable. These positive memories are what made the small court the site to kickstart the first revitalization collective action. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This moment of good memories and exchanges took place at one of the stops to rest from the climb. The trail from Raia to Pedacinho do C\u00e9u is a challenging uphill walk, with steep stairs, muddy paths and narrow stretches. Access is still very complicated. Up to a certain part, right at the beginning, it can be reached by motorcycle. The rest of the way can only be done on foot.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My connection with Pedacinho do C\u00e9u is part of my musical training. My first musical references were the parties I enjoyed with my mother or some other guardian here&#8230; My family was from Salgueiro and I used to take this path to get there. I\u2019d leave Salgueiro to get to Turano cutting through Pedacinho do C\u00e9u&#8230; I think it\u2019s a sacred path<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d \u2014 Pipa Vieira<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76354\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76354\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Path-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Morro-do-Turano-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76354 size-full\" title=\"The path in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Path-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Morro-do-Turano-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"The path in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Path-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Morro-do-Turano-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Path-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Morro-do-Turano-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Path-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Morro-do-Turano-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Path-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Morro-do-Turano-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76354\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The path in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, high up in Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>\u2018Long-time Residents Lend a Hand\u2019<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the break and recollections, the crew prepared to get to work, sorting the seedlings and seeds that would be planted after cleaning the court and the space for the community garden. Days before, City employees had weeded out the space overgrown with bushes at the request of residents and the residents&#8217; association. This helped the group\u2019s efforts as they carried out the cleaning, removing garbage and overgrowth.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76355\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76355\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Local-prepares-soil-for-planting-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Turano.-Foto-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76355 size-full\" title=\"Local prepares the soil for planting in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Local-prepares-soil-for-planting-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Turano.-Foto-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Local prepares the soil for planting in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Local-prepares-soil-for-planting-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Turano.-Foto-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Local-prepares-soil-for-planting-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Turano.-Foto-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Local-prepares-soil-for-planting-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Turano.-Foto-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Local-prepares-soil-for-planting-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Turano.-Foto-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76355\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Local prepares the soil for planting in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While some cleaned up the space, others sorted the seedlings and seeds to be planted. There was a focus on planting native species, so as not to damage the soil and interfere with local habitat. The group was also concerned about which seedlings to plant on the slopes to provide more stability on rainy days.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76356\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76356\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-select-seeds-to-be-planted-during-their-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-upper-part-of-Turano.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76356 size-full\" title=\"Locals select which seeds to plant during their action in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-select-seeds-to-be-planted-during-their-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-upper-part-of-Turano.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Locals select which seeds to plant during their action in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-select-seeds-to-be-planted-during-their-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-upper-part-of-Turano.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-select-seeds-to-be-planted-during-their-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-upper-part-of-Turano.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-select-seeds-to-be-planted-during-their-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-upper-part-of-Turano.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-select-seeds-to-be-planted-during-their-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-upper-part-of-Turano.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76356\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Residents select which seeds to plant during their action in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, atop Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The proper disposal of garbage was yet another concern: disposal sites were signposted, promoting awareness among residents. As Gomes said, all these measures aimed at reclaiming Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, a place of historical and emotional importance for the Turano community, which was forgotten and abandoned due to <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/2ORC5WL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">State neglect.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis revitalization is, in fact, a reclaiming of a space that is of great importance in the history of the favela. The place where our community originated was heavily attacked and vacated, many residents were evicted, and their houses destroyed. Many people here don&#8217;t know, and have never even been to Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Some even believe it\u2019s just overgrown with bushes and that no one lives here anymore, that it\u2019s abandoned. The idea is to take it back and introduce it to all residents, especially the younger ones and children&#8230; so they can get acquainted with and once again occupy this space.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d \u2014 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aluan Gomes<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76357\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76357\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-from-Turano-first-organized-to-clean-the-area-Photo-Joao-Fernando-.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76357 size-full\" title=\"First of all, locals got together to clean the site in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in Morro do Turano, preparing it for planting. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-from-Turano-first-organized-to-clean-the-area-Photo-Joao-Fernando-.jpg\" alt=\"First of all, locals got together to clean the site in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in Morro do Turano, preparing it for planting. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando \" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-from-Turano-first-organized-to-clean-the-area-Photo-Joao-Fernando-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-from-Turano-first-organized-to-clean-the-area-Photo-Joao-Fernando--620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-from-Turano-first-organized-to-clean-the-area-Photo-Joao-Fernando--944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-from-Turano-first-organized-to-clean-the-area-Photo-Joao-Fernando--768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76357\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Residents began by cleaning the site in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, Morro do Turano, preparing it for planting. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the start of revitalization, herbs such as basil, mint, rosemary, aloe vera, Chilean boldo, common boldo, and terramycin were planted. Trees such as banana, lemon, orange, guava, Surinam cherry, and acerola were also planted; the idea is to cultivate various fruit-bearing trees.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76358\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76358\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Table-with-various-seedlings-and-seeds-for-planting-rosemary-coffee-among-others-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76358 size-full\" title=\"Table with various seedlings and seeds to be planted: rosemary, basil, coffee, and cambuci, among many others. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Table-with-various-seedlings-and-seeds-for-planting-rosemary-coffee-among-others-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Table with various seedlings and seeds to be planted: rosemary, basil, coffee, and cambuci, among many others. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Table-with-various-seedlings-and-seeds-for-planting-rosemary-coffee-among-others-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Table-with-various-seedlings-and-seeds-for-planting-rosemary-coffee-among-others-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Table-with-various-seedlings-and-seeds-for-planting-rosemary-coffee-among-others-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Table-with-various-seedlings-and-seeds-for-planting-rosemary-coffee-among-others-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76358\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Table with various seedlings and seeds to be planted: rosemary, basil, coffee, and cambuci, among many others. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A participant of the group, Bianca Ortiz, took several seeds, seedlings and fruits, to be planted on the site. Ortiz gave an explanation on each seed, seedling and fruit, providing details about the planting process and the benefits of each. One of the seeds she took was coffee, no longer found in the area, despite the region\u2019s past as a vast coffee plantation. A\u00e7a\u00ed seeds were also among Ortiz&#8217;s contributions.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76359\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76359\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-smile-as-they-work-cleaning-the-area-for-replanting-during-the-collective-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76359 size-full\" title=\"Locals smile as they work cleaning and treating the site for replanting during the collective action in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-smile-as-they-work-cleaning-the-area-for-replanting-during-the-collective-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Locals smile as they work cleaning and treating the site for replanting during the collective action in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-smile-as-they-work-cleaning-the-area-for-replanting-during-the-collective-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-smile-as-they-work-cleaning-the-area-for-replanting-during-the-collective-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-smile-as-they-work-cleaning-the-area-for-replanting-during-the-collective-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-smile-as-they-work-cleaning-the-area-for-replanting-during-the-collective-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76359\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Residents smile as they work cleaning and treating the site for replanting during the collective action in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ortiz also brought fruit such as noni, which typically grows in Asia, cambuci, native to the Atlantic Forest, and pitaya, usually found in Central America and Mexico. She also brought yacon potato seeds, which originate from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3ZV6OTi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Andes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and are known in Brazil, as &#8220;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/46oGTFJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the diabetic&#8217;s potato<\/span><\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76360\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76360\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Time-to-prepare-the-soil-for-planting-during-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-collective-action.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76360 size-full\" title=\"Time to prepare the soil for planting during the Pedacinho do C\u00e9u collective action. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernandes\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Time-to-prepare-the-soil-for-planting-during-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-collective-action.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Time to prepare the soil for planting during the Pedacinho do C\u00e9u collective action. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernandes\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Time-to-prepare-the-soil-for-planting-during-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-collective-action.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Time-to-prepare-the-soil-for-planting-during-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-collective-action.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Time-to-prepare-the-soil-for-planting-during-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-collective-action.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Time-to-prepare-the-soil-for-planting-during-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-collective-action.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76360\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Time to prepare the soil for planting during the Pedacinho do C\u00e9u collective action. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernandes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One garden was set up in the traditional way and the other in a spiral, taking into account the herbs\u2019 and vegetables\u2019 need for sunlight and shade.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76361\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76361\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-get-their-hands-dirty-to-plant-seedlings-of-native-and-fruit-bearing-trees-during-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76361 size-full\" title=\"Locals get their hands dirty planting seedlings of native and fruit-bearing trees during the collective action to revitalize Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-get-their-hands-dirty-to-plant-seedlings-of-native-and-fruit-bearing-trees-during-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Locals get their hands dirty planting seedlings of native and fruit-bearing trees during the collective action to revitalize Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando \" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-get-their-hands-dirty-to-plant-seedlings-of-native-and-fruit-bearing-trees-during-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-get-their-hands-dirty-to-plant-seedlings-of-native-and-fruit-bearing-trees-during-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-get-their-hands-dirty-to-plant-seedlings-of-native-and-fruit-bearing-trees-during-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-get-their-hands-dirty-to-plant-seedlings-of-native-and-fruit-bearing-trees-during-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76361\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Residents get their hands dirty planting seedlings of native and fruit-bearing trees during the collective action to revitalize Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the striking aspects of this first collective action was the presence of children. They saw everything as a big game and, in doing so, made significant contributions. Very curious, they asked questions and paid close attention to everything, including the explanations and teachings provided by older participants. After all, the legacy will be passed on to them for future continuity.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76364\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76364\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Children-were-a-crucial-part-of-the-collective-action-for-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76364 size-full\" title=\"Children were a crucial part of the collective action for the revitalization of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, having contact with nature and environmental education. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Children-were-a-crucial-part-of-the-collective-action-for-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Children were a crucial part of the collective action for the revitalization of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, having contact with nature and environmental education. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Children-were-a-crucial-part-of-the-collective-action-for-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Children-were-a-crucial-part-of-the-collective-action-for-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Children-were-a-crucial-part-of-the-collective-action-for-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Children-were-a-crucial-part-of-the-collective-action-for-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76364\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Children were a crucial part of the collective action for the revitalization of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, having contact with nature and environmental education. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the work well underway, the crew took a break for lunch. The meal was prepared by Beto, who lives in Raia. Dona Elza, a resident of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, shared her terrace for everyone to gather and eat. Lunch was a moment of relaxation, with ideas exchanged, more stories shared, and appreciation of the view of Tijuca, Central Rio and Guanabara Bay.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76365\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76365\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Lunchtime-for-the-collective-action-for-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76365 size-full\" title=\"Lunchtime for the collective action for the revitalization of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Lunchtime-for-the-collective-action-for-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Lunchtime for the collective action for the revitalization of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Lunchtime-for-the-collective-action-for-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Lunchtime-for-the-collective-action-for-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Lunchtime-for-the-collective-action-for-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Lunchtime-for-the-collective-action-for-the-revitalization-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76365\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lunchtime for the collective action to revitalize Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, atop Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Turano Residents Speak Up<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2010, according to the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3guzPgT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IBGE<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3N7n672\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10,000 people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lived in Morro do Turano. However, according to data from the <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/31skd8N\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ministry of Health<\/a>\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/46DjX65\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Family Health Program<\/a>,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> this number has exceeded <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3N7n672\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">13,000 inhabitants<\/a> since 2013<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. According to residents, there were about 450 families living in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u alone. Following the tragedy of the 2010 rainstorms, however, which caused a major landslide involving earth, rocks and some houses, this number decreased considerably.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76370\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76370\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Panoramic-view-of-Rio-de-Janeiro-from-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76370 size-full\" title=\"A panoramic view of Greater Tijuca as seen from Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Panoramic-view-of-Rio-de-Janeiro-from-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"A panoramic view of Greater Tijuca as seen from Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Panoramic-view-of-Rio-de-Janeiro-from-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Panoramic-view-of-Rio-de-Janeiro-from-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Panoramic-view-of-Rio-de-Janeiro-from-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Panoramic-view-of-Rio-de-Janeiro-from-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76370\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A panoramic view of Greater Tijuca as seen from Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many homes were removed by City Hall after authorities declared it a &#8220;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/30wKGAd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">risk area<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&#8221; In addition, out of fear, many residents left after the tragedy, leaving the area almost vacant. Today, very few families live there; according to residents, currently only some 30 to 40 remain.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76371\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76371\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Home-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Morro-do-Turano-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76371 size-full\" title=\"A home in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Home-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Morro-do-Turano-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"A home in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Home-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Morro-do-Turano-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Home-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Morro-do-Turano-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Home-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Morro-do-Turano-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Home-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-in-the-upper-part-of-Morro-do-Turano-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76371\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A home in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the few people still living in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u is Elza Martins, known as Dona Elza. She moved to the area at a very young age in the 1960s, with her parents and siblings. She regrets that there is nothing left in the place and describes it as completely forgotten, saying that many people think it is overtaken with bushes and garbage, and that some municipal authorities mistakenly identify it as Matinha, which is, in fact, another area of Complexo do Turano. Dona Elza points out that Pedacinho do C\u00e9u lacks proper garbage collection, because the few community garbage collectors do not go up to this point. Garbage is disposed of on slopes, ravines or vacant lots. Another sign of this abandonment, according to her, is that, until very recently, there wasn\u2019t even a Community Health Agent appointed to assist them. They only started having one after a resident went to work at the Family Clinic.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76372\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76372\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dona-Elza-a-resident-of-Pedacinho-do-ceu-and-one-of-the-interviewees-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76372 size-full\" title=\"Dona Elza, a resident of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dona-Elza-a-resident-of-Pedacinho-do-ceu-and-one-of-the-interviewees-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Dona Elza, a resident of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dona-Elza-a-resident-of-Pedacinho-do-ceu-and-one-of-the-interviewees-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dona-Elza-a-resident-of-Pedacinho-do-ceu-and-one-of-the-interviewees-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dona-Elza-a-resident-of-Pedacinho-do-ceu-and-one-of-the-interviewees-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dona-Elza-a-resident-of-Pedacinho-do-ceu-and-one-of-the-interviewees-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76372\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dona Elza, a resident of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI think things will get much better. It will be as if the place was coming back to life&#8230; we feel forgotten and left behind here. It&#8217;s a good thing they turned on the electricity a short time ago&#8230; For those who ride a motorcycle, you can ride up until down there. Now, when it comes to a proper road, I don&#8217;t think that\u2019s going to happen. It would be great if we had a road here, even just up to the field.\u201d \u2014 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dona Elza<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76373\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76373\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/According-to-residents-access-is-one-of-the-greatest-obstacles-for-those-who-live-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76373 size-full\" title=\"According to residents, access to Pedacinho do C\u00e9u is one of the greatest obstacles for those who live in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/According-to-residents-access-is-one-of-the-greatest-obstacles-for-those-who-live-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"According to residents, access to Pedacinho do C\u00e9u is one of the greatest obstacles for those who live in the upper part of Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/According-to-residents-access-is-one-of-the-greatest-obstacles-for-those-who-live-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/According-to-residents-access-is-one-of-the-greatest-obstacles-for-those-who-live-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/According-to-residents-access-is-one-of-the-greatest-obstacles-for-those-who-live-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/According-to-residents-access-is-one-of-the-greatest-obstacles-for-those-who-live-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76373\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">According to residents, access to Pedacinho do C\u00e9u is one of the greatest obstacles for those who live high up in Morro do Turano. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After chatting with Dona Elza, we continued downhill and stopped at the home of Marco Ant\u00f4nio Silva. Known as Marquinho, he was born and raised in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u where he has lived for 52 years. Marquinho shared that in 2019, after losing his two children, he rented out his house and went to live in S\u00e3o Gon\u00e7alo. Unable to adapt to his new home, he returned to Turano after six months, this time settling in Bacana, another area of the favela. He also spent six months there, and then returned to Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, from where he no longer intends to leave.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Marquinho, the downside of the area is not having better transportation, because motorbikes, the only vehicles that can go up the hill, can only make it so far. This, he says, is not enough because if someone gets sick or needs help, there is no way to reach them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, he also mentions that, for a long time, residents had many problems with the lack of water because the only water tank they had supplying the homes was built many years pior by Friar Cassiano. It received water from a spring at the top of the hill. With the population growth in Turano, this water source became insufficient. When the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/1yIV9lc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Favela-Bairro program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> returned to the community for the second time, another water tank was built to expand the supply. However, many homes were still left without water. At this point, residents took the initiative to drill the newly installed water pipes that ran in front of their doors to improvise water connections to their homes and for their neighbors, guaranteeing this universal basic right.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76374\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76374\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Interview-with-Marquinho-one-of-the-residents-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76374 size-full\" title=\"A moment during the interview with Marquinho, one of the residents of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando \" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Interview-with-Marquinho-one-of-the-residents-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"A moment during the interview with Marquinho, one of the residents of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando \" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Interview-with-Marquinho-one-of-the-residents-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Interview-with-Marquinho-one-of-the-residents-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Interview-with-Marquinho-one-of-the-residents-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Interview-with-Marquinho-one-of-the-residents-of-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76374\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A moment during the interview with Marquinho, one of the residents of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBack in the day, we used to get a group together to bring construction materials up here\u2026 When I moved away and then came back\u2026 the kids that I once saw so little\u2026 even the heavy stuff, they carried and brought here&#8230; It\u2019s all pretty much uphill, from Campo do Bacana here, but when I looked, they\u2019d already taken all the furniture. The whole kitchen was already set up when I arrived. They brought up the fridge, the stove, the gas cylinder, everything, you know? It was those kids that I saw when they were so little, now all grown up, who helped me&#8230; But it\u2019s because I\u2019ve always been a family man, always one to join in and lend a hand&#8230; For the June festivals, I\u2019d cut bamboo. I\u2019ve always helped out, because I&#8217;ve always supported my community.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the whole deal happened in 2010 [the rain tragedy], my wife didn&#8217;t want to stay here. I already had this whole structure in place&#8230; so, I called an engineer over&#8230; I told him that my wife didn&#8217;t want to come home and asked if there was any risk of us staying here. I asked him to take a look around my house. I had already made this stone wall because, up here, there really was a risk of a landslide. Since I had built the wall, he assured us there was no risk of a landslide hitting my house. This retaining wall was built by me, my cousin, and another young man who lived up here, not by City Hall.\u201d \u2014 Marquinho<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76375\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76375\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Turano-locals-join-to-reforest-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-as-a-mitigating-strategy-to-prevent-landslides-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76375 size-full\" title=\"Turano locals join forces to reforest Pedacinho do C\u00e9u as a mitigating strategy to prevent the risk of landslides. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando \" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Turano-locals-join-to-reforest-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-as-a-mitigating-strategy-to-prevent-landslides-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Turano locals join forces to reforest Pedacinho do C\u00e9u as a mitigating strategy to prevent the risk of landslides. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando \" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Turano-locals-join-to-reforest-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-as-a-mitigating-strategy-to-prevent-landslides-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Turano-locals-join-to-reforest-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-as-a-mitigating-strategy-to-prevent-landslides-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Turano-locals-join-to-reforest-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-as-a-mitigating-strategy-to-prevent-landslides-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Turano-locals-join-to-reforest-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-as-a-mitigating-strategy-to-prevent-landslides-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76375\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Turano residents join forces to reforest Pedacinho do C\u00e9u as a mitigating strategy to prevent the risk of landslides. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The aspiration of Pedacinho do C\u00e9u\u2019s residents is to come out of oblivion. And that&#8217;s what Priscila Alves accomplished when she organized friends and former neighbors to revitalize the place where her grandmother once lived. Her goal was to bring back the cultural and sporting events of the past, to revive the tradition of planting and harvesting, and to reforest the hillsides, thereby preventing further landslides.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76376\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Vegetable-garden-beds-outlined-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76376 size-full\" title=\"Vegetable garden beds outlined. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Vegetable-garden-beds-outlined-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Vegetable garden beds outlined. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Vegetable-garden-beds-outlined-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Vegetable-garden-beds-outlined-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Vegetable-garden-beds-outlined-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Vegetable-garden-beds-outlined-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vegetable garden beds outlined. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aluan Gomes, on the other hand, is determined to preserve the history of the place that gave rise to Complexo do Turano but, for some reason, was lost and fell into oblivion. Pedacinho do C\u00e9u is very close to the residence of the Archbishop of the Catholic Church of Rio de Janeiro, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3traujr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Orani Tempesta<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, referred to by the residents as the \u201cHome of the Priests,\u201d in Sumar\u00e9. The high clergy of Rio&#8217;s Catholic Church sits just one road away from Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, in the palace that hosts the Pope when he comes to Rio.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76377\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76377\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Children-from-Turano-in-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-collective-action-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76377 size-full\" title=\"Children from Turano at the Pedacinho do C\u00e9u collective action. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Children-from-Turano-in-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-collective-action-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Children from Turano at the Pedacinho do C\u00e9u collective action. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Children-from-Turano-in-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-collective-action-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Children-from-Turano-in-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-collective-action-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Children-from-Turano-in-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-collective-action-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Children-from-Turano-in-the-Pedacinho-do-Ceu-collective-action-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76377\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Children from Turano at the Pedacinho do C\u00e9u collective action. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pipa Vieira envisions the possibility of teaching percussion to children and teenagers on the court. The singer won a bid from City Hall to develop the project in a location of his choice. For him, it holds enormous potential and many budding percussionists may emerge from there. But the main intention of all the participants of the revitalization group is to rescue Pedacinho do C\u00e9u from abandonment, attract more residents from other areas of Complexo do Turano to join in and, why not, expand the Pedacinho do C\u00e9u collective action to the whole favela.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76378\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76378\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-at-the-end-of-the-collective-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-76378 size-full\" title=\"Locals at the end of the collective action in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" src=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-at-the-end-of-the-collective-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg\" alt=\"Locals at the end of the collective action in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-at-the-end-of-the-collective-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-at-the-end-of-the-collective-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-at-the-end-of-the-collective-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-944x629.jpg 944w, https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Locals-at-the-end-of-the-collective-action-in-Pedacinho-do-Ceu.-Photo-Joao-Fernando-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76378\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Residents at the end of the collective action in Pedacinho do C\u00e9u. Photo: Jo\u00e3o Fernando<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>About the author:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3AR0ce3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Carla Regina Aguiar dos Santos<\/a>\u00a0was born and raised in Morro do Turano. Her work as a community journalist has always prioritized the day-to-day happenings in the favelas. Reporting what goes on beyond the view of traditional media, she has contributed to the Favela News Agency (<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/2UEpzKH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ANF<\/a>),\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3Q1Za3G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A P\u00fablica<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3aHMa3N\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Eu, Rio!<\/a>\u00a0and Terra. She received the ANF Award for journalism in the culture category and the Neuza Maria Award for Journalism.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Support\u00a0<\/b><b data-stringify-type=\"bold\"><i data-stringify-type=\"italic\">RioOnWatch<\/i><\/b><b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">\u2019s tireless, critical and cutting-edge hyperlocal journalism, online community organizing meetings, and direct support to favelas\u00a0<\/b><b data-stringify-type=\"bold\"><a class=\"c-link\" href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/DonateToRioOnWatch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/DonateToRioOnWatch\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">by clicking here.<\/a><\/b><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas Concerned by the neglect facing Pedacinho do C\u00e9u, or &#8220;Little Piece of Heaven&#8221;, as the area atop the Rio de Janeiro favela Morro do Turano is known, current and former residents <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=76232\" title=\"Could It Be the End of Abandonment? Residents Join Hands to Revitalize &#8216;A Little Piece of Heaven&#8217;, in Turano Favela [IMAGES]\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":245,"featured_media":76339,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1288,1328,1290,3477,1333,1332,329],"tags":[1027,472,3406,219,2405,3648,2436,674,187,78,386,26,151,288,1517,37,1990,13,199,1011,2600,2418,3505,1350,489,200,795],"writer":[3040],"translator":[3637],"illustrator":[],"photographer":[3638],"class_list":{"0":"post-76232","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-highlight","8":"category-by-community-contributors","9":"category-civilsociety","10":"category-climate-justice","11":"category-event-reports","12":"category-photo-essays","13":"category-solutions","14":"tag-area-of-risk-designation","15":"tag-climate-change","16":"tag-climate-justice","17":"tag-collective-action","18":"tag-community-garden","19":"tag-cria","20":"tag-environmental-justice","21":"tag-memory","22":"tag-favela-bairro","23":"tag-floods","24":"tag-trash","25":"tag-housing-rights","26":"tag-landslide-risk","27":"tag-mata-atlantica","28":"tag-moto-taxi","29":"tag-north-zone","30":"tag-nos-por-nos","31":"tag-rain","32":"tag-reforestation","33":"tag-right-to-come-and-go","34":"tag-right-to-the-favela","35":"tag-right-to-water","36":"tag-rio-comprido","37":"tag-tijuca","38":"tag-tijuca-forest","39":"tag-transportation","40":"tag-turano","41":"writer-carla-regina","42":"translator-nina-lebelbaum","43":"photographer-joao-fernando"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76232","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/245"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=76232"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76232\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81635,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76232\/revisions\/81635"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/76339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=76232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=76232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=76232"},{"taxonomy":"writer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fwriter&post=76232"},{"taxonomy":"translator","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftranslator&post=76232"},{"taxonomy":"illustrator","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fillustrator&post=76232"},{"taxonomy":"photographer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fphotographer&post=76232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}