There is a big difference between rich and poor, many corruption and the favelas (slums) are not always that safe. But beyond these negative points, you feel really welcome there, the warmth of the people and despite of the poverty they enjoy the day that is given.
I'm for the fifth time in Rio de Janeiro(5 times half a year). I have worked with street children and people from the favelas. We taught English mixed with creativity, play and dance, Graphic design, intense discussions about topics (like abortion, tourism in the favelas and legislation), we organized Dutch festivals and 3 years ago we opened a store in the favela Maré! With products from mainly recycled materials. This is now being continued by the Brazilian women.
After the first time being back in the Netherlands showed I felt that I wanted to go back, I saw so many opportunities for change and improvement.. So I decided to go back and started my own project within the organization where I worked. Eventually I went with Sanna Dobber for the second time. We have given presentations at schools, flea markets, organized parties and we have also been at various festivals where we gave information of the project and sold homemade products from Brazil.
With the budget we bought a lot of materials for the lessons and developed ideas.
Thanks for the support and beautiful gestures."
What are we doing now?:
• The project of the shop is going on, there is a solid group of women who are selling a variety of products and also in other places.
• At the moment we are working on an exhibition. Lamsa is one of the first sponsors for this project. The first exhibition was at Museum da Maré! And the next will be on the airport Santos Dumont. In this exhibition 'As aguas continuam fluir... The waters continue to flow...' we invite the people to the world of Maré. Here you feel the strong social ties, the warmth of the people and the power of those who live here must serve as an example.
Our focus will be on making social art using recycled materials working on the consciousness, the reuse of materials and construction of their social environment.
Water as a symbol for change, a chain in connection with nature.
We aim to develop creative solutions for environmental problems.
The goal is to mobilize people to participate at the workshops, through creativity focusing on sustainability, rethink the habits and transform the living space to a more sustainable environment.
The focus is on continuing the workshops, discussing it and realizing the given ideas by the people.
On a larger scale we want to connect the ideas with sustainable businesses employees, to investment in the community and realize the ideas we are given.
We would like to continue this project in other communities and with everyone who is interested.
To follow this project:Images of the project
• Here you see the link to the postcards I designed to help the projects Museu da Mare and CEASM. This line is continued to expand with T-shirts, bags, etc. 50% will go to this projects!
• Miguel and I also created a children book: "I want to fly!" Eu quero voar!
"With a conscious view of the world the caterpillar Pling takes you in her adventures. She shows you how important it is to live your dream."
An interactive book that is granted for workshops. These workshops, where we make flying objects from recycled materials we are given in the Netherlands and Brazil. We are looking for publishers to publish the book in various languages. It has typical Brazilian images and includes Portuguese / English words.
You can see the book on this link "Ik wil vliegen!", for more information about this book. email me: mlakenman@gmail.com
It is important that we work together with people from all over the world, to create a strong bond, sharing and loving.
To follow us on facebook and see all the photos: M-share facebook
If there are people who like to help and join, email me!