“Francesca” is a 65 year old woman who has lived in the Community for the past 40 years. She is the matriarch of a family of around 20 people.  ”Francesca” lives in a humble little home with her kids, grand-kids, and great-grand-kids.

“Francesca” told us that the greatest challenge of living in the Community is the violence.  We have seen the precursor to the violence and its after effects firsthand.  In August 2009, our small team of three encountered one of the local crack dealers who brazenly carried a .38 Special in his waste band even though private ownership of handguns is illegal in Brazil.   Also, we have personally interviewed two people who have been shot.  One is now paralyzed from the waist down due to a bullet that is lodged in his spine.  The second was recently shot in the stomach.  The bullet traveled through his stomach cavity and exited near his lower spine.

The police patrol the area regularly, but are reluctant to get involved because they will find themselves quickly outnumbered. So, daily violence is common to the people living in the Community.