Social center inaugurated in Rio favela complex
Complexo da Penha—a region with 13 favelas in Northern Rio de Janeiro city—now has the headquarters of the Central Única das Favelas (the Unified Center of Favelas), or Cufa. A 6 thousand square meter space with a sports court, a soccer field, classrooms, and services for citizens was inaugurated Wednesday (Sep. 27), in a ceremony attended by Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida, who vowed to bring equipment and public services to the facilities.
On a day when Rio recorded an apparent temperature of over 45°C, a relief from the heat in the favelas was the swimming pool at the new center, featuring aqua aerobics classes.
The facilities provide sports and cultural activities, social work, and services for around 100 thousand residents, who are often victims of urban violence and rights violations.
Favela residents
According to Celso Athayde, one of the founders of Cufa, an institution with branches in every Brazilian state, the new center has the capacity to serve 8 thousand people.
“Cufa only works with favela people, those living in that territory. Our constant goal is to empower the people in that environment. They are the ones who’ll spread our message, our ideas, and our ideology. Our ideology comes down to us continuing to be link between the favela and the outer city, between the public authorities and the city,” Athayde said, adding that he has held talks on partnerships with ministries, state and municipal secretariats, and companies.
Government
Minister Silvio Almeida visited the premises and signed a document committing to bringing equipment and services to the favelas. “We have a policy for the elderly aimed at combating violence, a policy for people with disabilities, for children and teenagers. That’s what we’re going to bring to this place,” he declared. “This place will therefore be home to a project that unites the dynamics and power of the state with the power and dynamics of the favelas.”
Silvio Almeida also announced that the government will put out a call for proposals for those living on the outskirts of the city, aimed at caring for the elderly. “We’re going to invest in health, solidarity economy, cooperatives, and the federal government is going to invest BRL 1.8 million in this public notice,” he said. “We want people to be able to age with dignity in the favelas,” he added.
The minister acknowledged that the favelas need policies that don’t depend on his ministry, but he pledged to spearhead efforts alongside other ministries. “The favela needs basic sanitation, health, education and social assistance policies. This is not the responsibility of the Ministry of Human Rights, but that doesn’t mean I can’t bring my colleagues with me to give to the favelas what they need.”
