Every Journey Needs a Basecamp: Rio
This January, we begin where all good journeys do: with community
In the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Projeto Povoada is creating safe, vibrant spaces where children can learn, play, and grow - one story, one meal, one moment at a time. We spoke with the remarkable force behind this essential work, Bianca Sartes, to learn more.
Hi Bianca! How does creating safe learning spaces for children in the favelas ripple outward to strengthen the wider community’s future opportunities?
Ladeira dos Tabajaras is a complex, steep territory where inequality is visible to the naked eye. Our children often face interruptions in their daily lives due to conflict or precarious housing. Creating a "safe space" here means building a stable oasis amidst unpredictability.
When a child feels physically and emotionally safe at Povoada, they can let their guard down and actually learn.
This ripples outward powerfully: we are raising young people who don't just "survive" the territory, but who gain the intellectual and artistic tools to transform it from within.
Beautifully put, a vision of genuine empowerment. How important is sharing meals together for the children in terms of building their community?
Living in Rio's "South Zone" comes with a very high cost of living, which paradoxically creates food insecurity inside the favela. Many families struggle to put food on the table. That is why our work goes beyond the meals served in class.
We extend this support to their homes by providing staple food baskets to families during festivals or whenever a household in vulnerability reaches out for help.
While the shared table builds bonds among the children, supporting their families builds deep trust with the community. They know the Povoada Project supports the entire family unit.
That is such a powerful model of community trust and care. How can the stories children share in these safe spaces change how people see favela life?
Outsiders often see the Ladeira only through news reports of police operations or poverty. But inside our safe spaces, the children tell stories of a vibrant, supportive, and creative community. Through art and education, they show that the favela is a powerhouse of talent.
Their stories reveal that while the alleyways are narrow, their dreams are vast. They teach us that the favela is not a problem to be solved, but a territory of solutions and culture to be respected.
You provide a hopeful vision, one that centres respect and human potential. Can you share a community event you have created and the positive outcome for the children?
We recently held a Povoando Lugares/Populating Places where the children presented their art and literacy projects to their parents and neighbours. In a place where public space is scarce and sometimes unsafe, claiming space to celebrate education was revolutionary.
Seeing the pride in the children's eyes and the emotion of parents seeing their kids as dedicated artists and students strengthened the social fabric of the community. It proved that our "Basecamp" is truly a launching pad for higher climbs.
Bianca, these are wonderful learnings for us to take away. Thank you for your time!
Outro: Every Gandys product supports grassroots change. We’re proud to be a B Corp. That means we don’t just talk impact, we live it. Through long-term partnerships with charities like Projeto Povoado, we invest in real people doing real work, in places that matter. Start your year with intention. Carry community with you.
