New Beginnings in the Favelas

Best news for Rio and Brazil for a long time is the driving out of the gang leaders from the most tightly controlled favelas, shortly before Christmas. In the newspapers they talk of life inside being transformed with creches opening, street cleaning by the city taking place, cinemas with aircon being inaugurated, normal deliveries of goods and services, and a lack of fear or the first time in many years. Some think it too early to be so optimistic but those who think the change is here to stay say, 'Ask the people who live there! They'll tell if it's good for them, and for good!'. And it's interesting to note that when the gang leaders have tried to re-infiltrate themselves they've been immediately handed over by the neighbours!

This is a night abstract of the favela lights at the end of Ipanema.