Internet and a tour to Latin America in 180 days absolute collaboration with my partner Alma
Toranzo, a journalist specializing in international relations and countries of South and Eastern cinema.
Axé, Yoruba language, means "positive energy" or "life force." Is the name of a genre typical of Bahia, a common African liquor in northeastern Brazil and the nickname of the man and forever friend Alma and I met on our arrival in Recife and that before telling you a experiences most poignant of our return to Latin America in a new favela, I present you:
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"Mixing cachaça (the main ingredient) with cloves, sweet grass, ginger and honey, moving to the rhythm of reggae and putting a lot of strength. So get Axé, African drink means positive energy, the same that characterizes the Brazilian and know transimtir with such joy. "
10. AXE IN THE FAVELA
Recife-Olinda Brazil.
met Axé (Ronaldo English), just leave the bags in a remote board. The parties pre carnavelescas Color Most Brazilian cities Recife and organized a series of concerts and shows in its main square. Continuing with our dynamic traveler decided to wait for a craftsman to bring us in those streets, but who redeemed us from the night this time was this 24 year old African American, heart and impeccable salesman, then, this drink aphrodisiac.
"Axé, axé, axé, "he shouted. And curiosity we could. Thus, distorted sense of both alcohol and sweet dancing in our blood, Ronaldo told us who grew up in the slums of the city, the same, and left behind , which came every week to teach percussion in a school with an open target key culture to combat social problems. And the next day took us.
I remember the bittersweet glances between Alma and me on the bus when ever, could be further from the city up the hill. We thought without telling us the same thing: "But carahio is leading us where? ". But Ronaldo's eyes shone excited, grateful and touched by what he, too, was going on. And the peace we both came together.
And, that treacherous myths is a reality that one experiences when visiting the real guts of a Brazilian favela. I feel the same when Zoid welcomed us at his home in Salvador de Bahia, as I told in another chapter, but this time the emotions were very different and perhaps considerably more humane.
PHOTO 2. On the way to the police favela fans gathers local football team after trouble at the stadium.
PHOTO 3. Municipal school entrance Aufranio Godoy, in Alto Santa Terezinha.
Far from being attacked, robbed or incited to drug use, the ride through the narrow crevices of the side went smoothly entering the night. Alto de Santa Terezinha in life was on the street. Its inhabitants shared their good energy when we arrived to the sound of samba and reggae, regardless of the hours and responsibilities and children, or most of them spent time teaching at the school.
"The concern for children is constant, if not, where were and what they were doing, "Ronaldo told us, CSU school volunteer Aufranio Godoy.
PHOTO 4. African dance class at school.
PHOTO 5. Prepared to rout.
The Centre for Youth and young children between four and 25 years learn to occupy their time and talents in activities such as capoeira, African dance and percussion as an alternative to stay away from drugs, violence and marginality that have international fame to the favelas.
Over twenty volunteer teachers and 300 students meet every day in this space which, in addition to 12 classrooms, soccer field and pool, provides care and counseling to adolescents with substance abuse problems.
"The school also works to eliminate social inequality and to give importance to the people as such, beyond skin color" was telling Axé.
PHOTO 6. Percussion Teachers acclimate dance class.
PHOTO 7. Children in self-defense class.
PHOTO 8. Young urban dance class.
The project, funded by both the government of the State of Pernambuco, Recife is the capital of which, for their own donations of the inhabitants of Santa Terezinha, is focused not only entertainment but also to the awareness of children about issues like violence or racism.
All the neighbors are aware that the favela is a social problem and therefore stay away from his arms crossed, react and take out his own not only through school but through all kinds of associations and social and cultural movements.
PHOTO 9: From the outside, students of urban dance class.
PHOTO 10: Attentive to the teacher's explanations.
But surely, after that wonderful day, there was something that filled my heart with pride: the delicacy with which we were treated to Alma and me. Without any intention of decorating topics, I still feel that visit was hailed as an event special and successful. Any approach to empathy and comfort felt we came returned with love, care and smiles when we left.
always grateful for sharing and exchanging cultures and feelings.
PHOTO 11: Axe, Ronaldo English.
PHOTO 12: Alma and myself with our friends from Santa Terezinha.
Chilean Patagonia. 
