Every rainy night, Teresinha became the first source of hope for the 80 families in her community. When homes flooded and the water threatened to sweep away the little they had, she was the one who organized aid, comforted her neighbors, and sought urgent solutions. But while she led with strength, her own home reflected the very same challenges: a small dwelling made of fragile materials on the edge of a ravine, constantly inundated by water and mud.
In 2016, an unexpected encounter marked the beginning of a transformation. A group of young volunteers from TETO arrived in the community with a proposal: to work together to identify 50 families in need of support and build emergency housing. Teresinha, with her innate determination, accepted the challenge, leading the process and mobilizing her neighbors to turn that promise into action.
When their new home was ready, the changes were immediate and profound. “The house is raised off the ground, so no mud or water gets in when it rains. It’s more airy in the heat and cozier in the winter,” she says excitedly. But the impact wasn’t just structural; it transformed her family’s daily life.
With a decent home, Teresinha saw improvements in her children’s health; they could now play without fear of bugs or mud. For the first time, she felt comfortable having visitors over—something that had previously seemed impossible. “Now we live in a comfortable, welcoming space that is fit for a human being,” she says with a smile that speaks louder than words: it reflects hope.
Teresinha's story is not only that of a woman who transformed her home, but also that of a leader who, by changing her own circumstances, inspired her entire community to dream of a better future.