I love synchronicity, I really do.
Here’s an article in the Washington Post about a rich Brasilian woman, Yvonne Bezerra de Mello, and what she’s doing in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, one of the most violent and drug-torn cities in the world.
Despite spending a great deal of time in Brasil, I’ve never been to Rio. But I’ve visited favelas in São Paulo, taken to them by a Spiritans Father Irish missionary. However, the ones I went to were definitely not the worst. Still, one of the tensest moments of my life came when Jimmy and I got separated. I think I’ve already written about this, so won’t do so again.
Sorry to use the “r” word–I know it’s now a four-letter word to some people (who don’t seem to have any problem with the four-letter word “poor”) who hopefully are finding moral and spiritual uplift on Fox News and Don Imus talk shows. But she is RICH (I will be d____d and blasted if I let anyone censor me for perfectly acceptable language); knowing what I do about the rich in Brasil and how, normally, they truly isolate themselves from ordinary Brasilians, never mind favela kids, I have nothing but admiration for her. I don’t have a means test for admiration for people who are doing their best to help others. And I completely agree with her about that education gap–I would–that same attitude directs my far, far more modest efforts in an infinitely easier situation. Note especially the numbers of children she’s taught who haven’t made it. She clearly doesn’t have a barter or exchange mentality–she does what she can.
Please take the time to read this article about a truly remarkable woman.
Dear Joyce,
What an excellent article, I just read that to Linda, as well. What a marvelous woman, that’s surely putting one’s principles and goodwill in action. Hugs to the birthday critters, Lucy and Ricky look great. Hi to Mary and the other members of your herd.
Have a good day,
Clyde and Linda
Hi, Clyde and Linda!
I consider Bezera de Mello remarkable, particularly for one of her class. you’d have to know Brasilian society to understand just how unusual she is. In the US, there is at least a tradition of philanthropy by the rich–the Mellons, the Carnegies, the Rockefellers and others. Of course, it was said of Carnegie that he donated all that money for libraries and institutes of learning towards the ned of his life in order to buy his way in heaven after a lifetime of exploiting workers, but hey, that is in a grand old, centuries old tradition, too! There is no such tradition in Brasil, not on the scale of the US anyway.
But even then, it isn’t the same thing. Donating money to build a library isn’t quite on the same scale as going out into a favela day after day and trying to help kids children under the most appalling conditions.
And believe me, that woman has courage. The favelas–the really poor ones–are incredibly dangerous.
We think Lucy and Ricky look great too!
Nice to hear from you. How’s Sidney? I think of him quite often.
Joyce