Football shields girls in Brazil’s violent Favelas

Brazil’s favelas are a battleground between heavily armed drug gangs and the police. The death toll is high, and residents fear being caught in the crossfire.  On average, one Rio resident is hit by a stray bullet every seven hours. A recent spike in violence comes alongside massive unemployment, as Brazil begins to emerge from […]

Brazil’s favelas are a battleground between heavily armed drug gangs and the police. The death toll is high, and residents fear being caught in the crossfire. 

On average, one Rio resident is hit by a stray bullet every seven hours.

A recent spike in violence comes alongside massive unemployment, as Brazil begins to emerge from the worst recession in its history.

But people have grown used to carrying out their daily lives against a permanent background of violence.

And some young girls have found solace and an escape from their environment through football.

These girls gather in a pitch known to be a safe space in Complexo de Penha, located on the Morro do Caracol hill. 

The pitch was built by Street Child United, a UK-based charity that gives at-risk young people opportunities through sport. To ensure it was a safe place where children can play without fear, the charity struck a deal – with local residents, the police, and even the gangs – to declare it “off limits”.

The girls try to practise football at least once a week, but have had to cancel several sessions because of frequent shootouts between rival gangs and the police.

“The shooting happens several times a week. You never know when the police will start an operation in the favela. Crossfire is a big problem,” explains Drika, their coach.

“Sometimes there is no way to get to the pitch, and some other days we have to hide in the locker room because the shooting starts from nowhere. Some kids cry in fear – and it makes my heart ache.”

Culled from BBC