Slumstories - Brazil - Clearing slums in rio

My name is Monique. I'm 26 years old. I'm from Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro. From the favela Indiana. I'm a lawyer. And today I'm going to show you my world. Indiana is the name of the community. People call it a favela... but to make it sound less cheap, we like to call it 'community'. At present, the community is pacified, but it has suffered a lot. About two years ago... the secretary of the mayor came here along with other officials. They registered us and they said the community would be relocated. Even before I was born, my mother told me they spoke of relocations every year. But this is the first time that we feel it's serious business: We see them registering and prohibiting people to remodel their homes. So, I think this time it will happen. I wake up between 9 and 9.30. The first thing I do is read my emails, the publications and the processes. Then, while my mom is preparing breakfast... I'm reading and eating at the same time because my daily routine is heavy. The pace accelerates every day. I don't think I had much of a childhood, like, enjoying, playing... because I started working when I was thirteen. Ever since, I never stopped. Always studying, working, doing a course... in order to learn more and be able to provide better conditions for my family. My biggest dream I have for my family: To be able to give my nephews opportunities. Because it was hard for me and my sister. My sister only finished elementary school, then she quit school. I did okay, until university, then it got more difficult. I had to maintain the house, myself and help my mom. After breakfast, I grab my bag, take the bus and go out. Thank you. -You're welcome. The line dropped. It's my boyfriend. It seems like he has a sixth sense. Every day he calls when I'm on the bus. Yeah, it's him again. You got cut off? The biggest injustice I've seen in regards to the forced evictions... is that people will have to move to the Greater Rio area... to neighbourhoods where they'll be cut off from their social life as well as city life. Most people work in the centre of Rio... and then they will have to travel three or four hours to work... because of the distance or traffic jams. To me that's a great injustice. Hi. -I'm here. I wanted to study law... because what I like most is to defend people... to help the ones close to me, and to try, in whatever form... to change the inequalities that exist between the rich and the poor. And show that our own constitution says that we are all equal before the law. I think, in practice, this has to be done. Well guys, it was awesome being with you, but now I have to work. Bye. the City of Rio de Janeiro wants to remove 119 favelas by the end of 2012 one of these favelas is Indiana all 420 families in this favela are said to be at risk in case of heavy rainfall and flooding they will receive no compensation for their property instead they'll be relocated to new homes in other parts of Rio through the housing program 'My House, My Life'