The Development Of An Independent Movement For People In Disadvantaged Areas In Brazil

Ilustrasi foto (Raphael Nogueira / VOI)

JAKARTA - The most beautiful places in the world that were once busy with the flow of back and forth tourists on vacation, are now paralyzed, and even tend to be quiet because the COVID-19 pandemic has begun to spread to big cities which are tourist destinations throughout the world. One of those affected was Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

However, until this news was made, there had not been any move by the Brazilian government to carry out the sterilization of the places which became the main tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro. The government passively encouraged a tour guide named Thiago Firmino to move independently to disinfect the slum streets in Santa Marta, Favela.

As reported by Reuters, the 39-year-old man began wearing “Ghostbuster” clothing and became one of the pioneers of a community-led program to combat the spread of the virus from Wuhan. Moreover, slum areas in Brazil are notoriously dense and if COVID-19 strikes it can spread quickly.

The action also received support from the residents of Santa Marta. In fact, every time Firmino passed while spraying disinfectant on stairs, streets and alleys, the roar of applause from residents who were watching his action was often heard.

"I'm not saying this action is heroic, but we have to have a firm stance against COVID-19," said Firmino.

He did this action because these slum complexes rarely caught the attention of the Brazilian government. “Favela is always forgotten. No matter what happened in the city, the favela was always the last to receive any benefit. Especially now, health services are precarious and the problem of cleanliness and the problem of garbage is also precarious. "

In fact, about four thousand people live in Santa Marta. The Brazilian government should have paid more attention to Favela, as one of the most iconic places in Rio de Janeiro. The proof is, right behind the Botafogo waterfront environment, there is a hotel that offers spectacular views of the Sugar Loaf mountain.

Firmino admitted that his action really depended on public donations. "The tourism sector is the sector that has been impacted first, and lastly to recover. We are taking this voluntary action with residents so we can look after ourselves."

So far, 1,057 people have died from COVID-19 in Brazil, with a total of 19,638 confirmed cases, according to the latest official figures on Friday, April 10.