But it's also great "for the community," he says. That has changed, but there is still stigma. Her father, Luiz Carlos Silva, tells me that when Rafaela was growing up, he used to pretend he lived in another neighborhood, because employers wouldn't give jobs to people from the favelas. She rose from poverty and suffered terrible racism because she is black. Her story is already the stuff of legend here. Inside a tin roof home with fading pink walls, Rafaela Silva's family is boisterous and exuberant. She was born in the City of God she'll always be from the City of God," says her father, Luiz Carlos Silva (left). " 'Never forget your roots' is what I always told her.
Joao Velozo for NPR David Ramos/Getty Images Rafaela Silva (right), who grew up in Rio's City of God favela, celebrates after winning gold in the women's 57 kg judo on Monday - Brazil's first gold medal in the Rio games. The extra army and police are focused on securing the Olympic venues, while gun battles rage far from the cameras. Security, too, is dire in many favelas, despite the presence of 85,000 security forces in the city. It's not only in access to the games and revenue from tourism where the Olympics are coming up short for Rio's poorest citizens. He can't afford to buy Olympic tickets to see anything in person, so this is the closest he is getting to the games, he says. The government has put up a facade to hide the truth." Brazil doesn't have the money for these games.
MARTA POLICE BENEFITS TV
As we walk by, he is watching the Olympics on the TV in his store. (Right) People wait for the tram that travels over Santa Marta.įrancisco Aragão owns a kiosk that sells drinks and snacks to Santa Marta visitors. (Left) A view of the favela from the tram. Joao Velozo for NPR (Top) A man enters his home in the Santa Marta favela.
One gift shop owner told me she has taken to heading down to Copacabana to hand out fliers to drum up interest. All the guides who take visitors up here are from Santa Marta, and funds from their cooperative are given to the residents association. Tourism is a boost for the whole community, she explains. I think people were too afraid and we are seeing very few tourists coming here. Many consulates told their citizens not to visit the favelas. I ask her about the impact of the Olympics. I would even say he's my patron I bring tourists up here many times a day," tour guide Salete Martins tells me.
"Michael Jackson left a huge legacy for Santa Marta. Santa Marta was expecting big things during the Olympics because it is both safe and famous. She says tourists aren't coming because consulates told their citizens to stay away from favelas. Joao Velozo for NPR Salete Martins, a tour guide in the Santa Marta favela, stands in front of the Michael Jackson statue.
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