by Mimi Mollica
Beyond the Carnival, the Sugar Loaf and the overlooking Redeemer Christ, Rio de Janeiro is a city of strong contrasts between the glamour of its beaches and lifestyle, and a more cruel reality of those living in poverty throughout the hundreds favelas (shanty towns) spread all over the city.
Olavo Torquato, here at Leblon beach, lives in the nearby Urubu (vulture) favela. Olavo makes garments out of the bottom of the cans he finds on the streets. This is a creative and useful way of recycling aluminium. Waste disposal and recycling are among the priorities in the Brazilian Government’s agenda.