Santa Marta’s new generation
by Priscila Marotti
With just six months, little Bruno is restless: he tries to balance himself by grabbing the old wooden ladder, which leans beside his house’s front door; and he is also attempting his first steps. He crawls, tries to stand up, falls, and starts it all over again. His godmother’s leg ― Captain Pricilla’s leg ― also serves as a support for his constant attempts to stand up and start exploring. These are the first steps of a new generation born and bred in peace inside the community, under the protection of the Pacifier Police Division (UPP).
Bruno was born on the slum’s steps, with the help of his grandma ― who is one of the community’s midwifes ― and two soldiers from the unit. The friendship between the family and Captain Pricilla is what made them invite her to baptize the little one. Police officers becoming nurses and eventually godparents of the community’s children ― here is a scene none of the 20 people in Bruno’s family would ever imagine.
“We’ve been through a lot of sad stuff here. I couldn’t stop a drug dealer from hiding in my place, nor could I stop the police and the bad guys from shooting each other. My grandson, thank God, is not going to experience this” says Mr. Salvador, Bruno’s grandfather, and also a much known figure in the community.
Today, Mr. Salvador’s issue with the police is different:
“You haven’t shown up in ages, Ma’am. We have to schedule Bruninho’s baptism”, he reminds Captain Pricilla, who, for now, is busy arranging UPP’s one year party, and because of it has spent a few days without showing up to see the family.
“Oh, Mr. Salvador, I’ve been crazy these days with the party. But we will schedule it. Next week I’ll come by and we’ll arrange everything”, promises the Captain whilst holding her godson in her arms.
Just as Bruno, little Sophia, who is five months old, still does not understand that growing up, playing outside and sleeping in peace was once a distant reality for many people from the community where she lives. Her mother, 17-year-old Maria Raquel, lives in front of one of Santa Marta’s extinct drug dens. Her childhood memories are quite different from the ones she expects for her daughter…
“Children had space; front yards, soccer pitches…but they couldn’t leave their houses. Once, when I was 10, I saw a drug dealer jump from one house to the next, get shot and die right there. This is not the way childhood is supposed to be”, says Maria, who lives with Sophia’s father, Rafael Balduíno, age 23.
While the teenager remembered her stories, the clock was showing 4:30pm and little Sophia was not showing any signs of wanting to wake up. Instead of the loud music, the screaming and the smoke ― which were constant back in the traffic days ― the only noise that could be heard at Maria’s place was that of children running around.
One of them is Alessandra, age 4, who can now enjoy playing with other kids. But she knows some serious grown up stories. Her grandma and her mum had to explain to her why the boys were walking around the slum with guns.
“Who wants to explain to a 3-year-old daughter why 14, 15-year-old-boys are walking around with guns twice their size?” said Priscila Pereira, age 22, while she gathered up doll’s clothes which were scattered around and waited for her youngest daughter, one-month Larissa, to wake up.
“At least I’ll never have to worry again with a daughter of mine seeing these things. It’s worth everything.”
ONE YEAR
Besides the community’s mums, police officers are also celebrating… one year of peaceful living at the community… one year of work well done…. and recognition.
Santa Marta’s UPP celebrated one year of existence last Saturday (19/12). The party was organized in a partnership between the community’s residents and UPP officers.
There was a presentation by the Military Police Band together with local samba writers, percussionists and even violinists. Children got toys, popcorn, surprise gifts, cake and even watched a puppet show with puppets from the Military Police Museum.
“What we see here today is a change of paradigm”, said the Security Secretary José Mariano Beltrame.
