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A description of the largest of the favelas in Rio de Janeiro; Rocinha, where 100,000 people live. The former wooden shacks have been upgraded to permanent dwellings with some modern services, and residents constantly improve their homes through a process of ‘self-help’. We are introduced to a typical Rocinha family who migrated to Rio from the countryside. The family members describe how they make a living, and reflect on the quality of life in the favela.

Students could take notes under the headings of Geraldo, Leandro and Clothilda. What do these characters think about living in Rocinha? List the positives and negatives. Consider services and support available to people living in favelas. To what extent does the Brazilian state provide for them? Students could sketch a typical slum dwelling (pause a scene to help in this task), annotating key features, and then add improvements. They should then compare this housing with their own. Look into how the 2016 Olympics might affect people in Rocinha.