by Sr. Jacinta Mahakwe, MMM              Nigeria/Brazil                                      29.12.2024

Living in the semi-slum area of Nordeste de Amaralina, Salvador, in Brazil, was one of my best experiences. My neighbourhood, like most others, has its strengths and weaknesses. Besieged by violence of all kinds, the community kept on living their lives, taking one day at a time. Yes, the weekends were fun, with music parades, dancing and anything exciting. The crowd comprises young and older adults celebrating life despite their challenging environment.

In the neighbourhood, there is law and order. The local community govern themselves. The people obey the rules. Some rules include no stealing of any kind, no domestic violence and no action that will bring in the police. Though some of these occur and there is a lot of drug-related violence, the people apply the rules, and the offenders are punished according to the stipulations.

I call it my safe space because of a lot of things. Everyone knows everyone. It is like a family of people—the community cares for one another. Walking around the community sounds like an extended family visit. The greetings are more interesting. You hear something like “Good morning, my – child, daughter, son, love, sister, brother, father and mother.”. The warmth expressed in this process is heartwarming. I enjoyed reciprocating all the kind gestures and warm greetings, like taking up the smell of the sheep. Imagine the smile on the face of a woman when she is greeted as “Good morning, mother”. The brilliant response of “Good morning, my daughter.”  What will your heart feel knowing that we are a family of people?  We don’t have to be related by blood.

I loved going to the neighbourhood because it has everything you can imagine; the sense of togetherness and safety is paramount.  A bus to the terminal in the neighbourhood is the safest at night and anytime.  Because within the community, one has a sense of a third eye keeping watch and protecting. I loved it!