Before coming to Brazil, I thought I’d be teaching — but instead, I found myself learning in ways I never expected. Through my time at CCA Quadrangular, a community center for children in São Paulo, I witnessed how joy and resilience can grow even in the harshest conditions. Many of the kids I met lived in favelas (impoverished, urban neighborhoods), some without access to basic needs like bathrooms or stable homes and others with stories that broke my heart. One child had even been thrown out of their house in the middle of the night. CCA stepped in to care for them, to feed them, and to give them a place to just be a kid again. And every day, these children showed up smiling, curious, and eager to connect. Their stories weren’t just about struggle — they were about strength, love, and the power of a safe space to create light in the midst of darkness
We taught English three times a week — phrases, colors, greetings, etc. — despite not knowing much Portuguese ourselves. But somehow, communication happened. Not just through words, but through laughter, drawing, dancing, and just showing up.
What struck me most was how joy persisted. These children, despite their hardships, showed up to CCA full of light. They smiled, hugged us, made us cards, and asked us questions about where we came from. CCA was their haven — a place with hot, delicious meals, art supplies, capoeira, and a sense of community and safety.
The stories we tell can change how others see the world. Before I came to Brazil, I imagined I would teach. Instead, I was taught — about resilience, community, and joy in the face of adversity. These kids aren’t statistics or sad stories. They’re creators, comedians, dancers, and dreamers.
Storytelling like this challenges assumptions. It forces people to see children in favelas not as "less fortunate," but as full of potential. Through photos, voice, poetry, and presence, I’m sharing their light — and I hope you carry it with you too.
