Twelve boys and girls of communities of Rio de Janeiro tells some of their desires for future here.

(Source: adapted from www.vivafavela.com.br)

Rafael Farias dos Santos, 14 years, from Complexo do Alemão
5ª grade and bootblack.
He works to help his mother and the seven brothers.

"I wanted to be a doctor when I grow up and to work with the firemen. This desire appeared on a dream: there was a fire on a building and I was called to take care of the people who were burnt. Therefore, I want to be a doctor: to help the people. To learn English in the school is another dream mine, therefore I do not understand nothing ".

Virley Rodrigues, 12 years, from Rocinha.
Does not study.

"I like to surf and to be in the street playing. I sleep early to arrive early in the beach on each day. My father died and I live with my mother and my five brothers. My bigger dream is to be world-wide bodyboard champion. I want one day to be happy and not to involve myself with people who use drugs."

Luana Raymond, 11 years, from Complexo do Alemão
6ª grade and a Fluminense Soccer Team fan

"I like very much to study. My preferred subject is History. I adore fruits, potato fries, beefburger, rice and beans. I don´t like to arrange the house, nor the violence. I want to be a top-model or to follow the military career. I´ve seen a movie about women in the Army and liked. I wish to become a colonel and make many things: to build up houses, more jails and to finish with the violence".

Luiz Cláudio Souza de Oliveira, 10 years, Cidade de Deus
4ª grade

"My dream is to be lawyer: first because it gains much money, later because I´ve seen one in the TV and I liked it. Also I intend to leave this place. It is very bad to live here. Boys already dope themselves, do not study and nor know what they want for their future."

Luana Barros, 13 years, from Morro do Tuiuti

"I want to graduate in journalism, God bless. I find that thus I go to be contributing for the society. I chose this profession, in part, inspired by the woman whose my mother wor for as a maiden. She was strong and now she is already graduating. She is an example to be followed. But, my bigger dream is to become a model. Once I´ve seen them on a parade on the Shopping. Models were all taking photos and photos, and everybody applauding and applauding. I wanted to be there".

Flávio Enrique de Paiva, 11 years, Belford Roxo
5ª grade

"My dream is to be a policeman, because I´ve always loved this job. If I had that to choose a gift, it would be a horse. I love this type of animal. I do like to be helping my mother in the house tasks. For me, all day is special being close to my mother, my stepfather and with my friends. I thank God for them exist in my life".

Fábio Lima dos Santos, 11 years, from Realengo
3ª grade.
Works loading trash with a wagon.

"When I am alone, I only refuse works that demand too much physical effort, as remove rubbish or freight of some weight object, therefore I do not have force. My dream is to be a great jockey and to have a black race horse. Sometimes, I leave with my old horse and I think that I´m a great knight".

Jéssica dos Santos Roberto, 7 years, from Queimados
She is on first year CA (alfabetization) and makes judô has seven months

"Judô is what I like more to make. Already I´ve passed from white band to the gray band of judô, but my parents had still not been able to buy the band, that costs R$ 12 (US$ 6). When I grow up, I want to be a judô teacher. My dream is to give a well pretty house for my mother".

Mick Lima da Silva, 13 years, from Rocinha
Does not study.

"I like very much to go to the beach, to free barrel and to play soccer. I think that Rocinha is the best place to live. I want to help the children, to take off them of the streets and mainly to help my family. When I grow up I want to be someone cool, and to be successful in the life... to be a champion! What I would like to gain one day, does not need to be in the Day of the Children, is a computer"

Arthur Jorge Ferreira da Silva, 10 years, from Cantagalo
4ª grade

"This community is my home. When I grow up I want to be a draftsman. I adore to draw surf, dolls fighting and personnels from TV."

Maxwel Ribeiro de Oliveira, 11 years
4ª grade. Trains soccer in the Vasco da Gamma Soccer Club

"I wanted to be a basket or soccer player. Therefore it is the reason that my arm is broken, I do not excuse a play. My father was born with this dream and I do also. He always supports me and I always attend it to play. It is not for the money, but for the game itself".

Luis Cláudio de Oliveira Santos, 12 years, from Parque Vila Nova, Duque de Caxias
1ª grade and bootblack.

He works every day after school, until midnight. In the weekends, he helps his mother, who is peddler. "I would like very much to know Scheila Carvalho [she is a famous dancer from musical dancing group "The Tchan"], and move myself to a better house. I woul like too to gain a bicycle. But I have fear of somebody would steal it. When I grow up, I want to be a bus driver, to gain money to study and later, being a doctor who takes care of throat. If I could I would finish with the violence and the war. And I would replace all these bad things only with peace. "