"I fight hard in this community—and in others—so that people understand our rights": Learn about Zélia's story

Zélia is a community leader in Vila Beira Mar, Rio de Janeiro. She started out caring for children at a community daycare center, and today she is a role model for the neighborhood’s residents, who turn to her when they need help and are grateful that she coordinates projects in the neighborhood where she no longer lives.

Throughout her life, raising her children on her own and experiencing violations of her rights motivated her to share what helped her get through her suffering. She says that she was often discriminated against because she was illiterate, because she didn’t know certain things, and because she couldn’t communicate in the “right” way. 

After meeting her husband Domingo and starting to work at the church's daycare center, Zélia changed course and decided to devote herself to volunteer work. 

At the same time, Zelia learned about TECHO was essential for fostering collaboration between TECHO, the volunteers, and the residents. It was also important to have the organization’s support to bring to fruition the projects that had initially emerged as her own isolated ideas. Inspired by people who encouraged her to see life differently, Zelia found in volunteer work a way to fight for her rights. For her, being in Vila Beira Mar is a way to put herself in others’ shoes, to share, and to strive to improve day by day, teaching her children and neighbors to pursue their dreams.

“(…) I fight hard in this community—and in others—so that people will understand our rights. I suffered, but I managed to get through it all—do you understand?”

Thanks to her collaboration with the organization, she was able to transform the quality of life for the residents of Beira Mar. Although she faced challenges and a lack of support in creating community spaces beyond the daycare center, TECHO backing TECHO essential in preventing frustration and overcoming obstacles.

Reflecting on her experience, Zélia shared some profound advice:

"If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be for people to look toward the future with self-respect, always with that spirit of love and solidarity, always putting themselves in the other person's shoes. And value yourself—value everything you have."

Zélia's story is a clear example of how volunteerism and conviction can change people's lives. We all have the same rights; looking the other way is not an option.