Community, Compassion & Caju
Ellen & Rafaela, Brazil
Gol de Letra develops projects that aim to promote the comprehensive education of children, adolescents and young people through sport, culture and training for work. Ellen and Rafaela are both from Caju in Rio de Janeiro. They participated in the Dois Toques Program, using sports and literacy to improve the capacity for personal expression of children, adolescents and young people.
Ellen: My name is Ellen. I live in Caju, Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. I have been part of Gol de Letra for 5 years, initially as a student and now as a monitor. I have played football since I was a child, playing in the street with friends. I was always banned from playing football by my family. I used to sneak out of the house to play.
Rafaela: My name is Rafaela. I live in Caju, Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. I have been part of Gol de Letra for 9 years, as a student and then as a monitor. I started playing football when I was in school. We enjoy playing football, whether that is at Gol de Letra or in the park with our friends. I did not always have the freedom to play, as my family would not let me - and the children I played with did not always want to let me play.
What did you try to capture with the photos? Was there a wider meaning?
The photos are from different sessions with Gol de Letra. Some are from our school, and others were taken on the streets of the Caju neighbourhood. The photos are of Gol de Letra students, residents of Caju and students from a school in Rio de Janeiro, located in the neighbourhood of São Cristóvão.
We wanted to show the variety of emotions involved in sport, and the different spaces in our neighbourhood where people play football.
What role does football play in your community and Brazilian society? Is football an inclusive sport that anyone can play?
In Brazil, football is not always very inclusive. Often only those who know how to play can stand out and get more opportunities to play. Also, the poorest in society have fewer opportunities to play. In Brazil, football is a way for poor children to escape from their problems. It is a very common distraction from some of life’s problems and is also seen as a way to earn a lot of money if you can become a professional footballer.
What are the opportunities for women and girls to play sports in your community and in Brazil?
There are not many opportunities for women to play football. Women have to fight to play, because football in Brazil is a sexist sport. There is prejudice from families, from society, and there are few initiatives to provide girls with the materials and time to play football.
What impact has the Gol De Letra program had on you and your community?
Ellen: Gol de Letra is very important, as it benefits thousands of residents of Caju, making them open their eyes to the world and taking their focus away from life in the favela. I learnt a lot at Gol de Letra. I would not be the person I am today if I had not come here.
Rafaela: Gol de Letra made me discover that I liked sports. For the neighbourhood, it is an opportunity for children to have a better place to play, and the environment is welcoming and safe.
What does football mean to you?
To us football means diversity, and it provides an opportunity to exchange stories and personal experiences.
What ambitions do you have for the future?
Ellen: I want to become a physical education professional and work at Gol de Letra.
Rafaela: I want to graduate and be able to pass on the things that Gol de Letra taught me to the next generation.
What do you think the future looks like for sports in your community and country? What do you want to change? How would you improve gender equality?
Sport can be a gateway for people to be recognised and seen and not be marginalised. We want there to be more inclusion in the future of sport, with less prejudice and more compassion. We want to improve gender equality, starting from childhood. As children grow and develop, they should be taught how to be respectful to all and that all sports are for everyone.
