In the early 2000s, a social movement fighting for housing in downtown Rio de Janeiro was active in the homeless occupations, which were numerous at the time, some of which still exist today. This autonomous movement, with no ties to governments, political parties (though not non-partisan, since there is a difference between these two notions) or NGOs, championed self-management, direct action, and grassroots democracy as methods for mobilizing and strengthening the workers' struggle.
In 2007, part of this movement realized that it was necessary to deepen ties with the territory as a strategy to strengthen community struggles, and in 2008, it started a school tutoring project that operated at Casa Amarela. That same year, the GEP (Grupo de Educação Popular) emerged, which brought together nearly a hundred activists until its dissolution in 2015. In 2009, the Pré-vestibular Comunitário Machado de Assis emerged, which is the longest-running of all the projects that the former GEP started. Since then, we have maintained the same political orientation and method of action.
Image description: This is a black and white photograph of an adult man. He is shown in profile, looking to the right. The background is plain and light-colored. The man has short gray hair and a thick, gray beard. He is wearing glasses with a thin frame. His clothing appears to be a classic suit with a white collar.O escritor brasileiro Machado de Assis aos 57 anos. Fonte: Época - Globo
What is it like to teach in a favela?
From the beginning, many teachers were residents themselves who had graduated from university, worked as teachers in the public school system, and were also part of the GEP.
It is important to say that the college entrance exam prep course is not a project that is an end in itself. That is, it is a form of action that aims not only for the favela's youth to get into public university, but also seeks to work on community mobilization.
An example of this, which is always good to remember, is that ten years ago, Machado de Assis was fundamental in the residents' struggle against the removals of hundreds of houses that took place between 2011 and 2013. Many collectives from outside Providência were involved in this struggle, but all of them sought to help residents by telling them what should be done, without any real concern for strengthening the residents' self-organization. We, from Machado, worked to change this balance of power, and by the end of this long struggle, which was victorious for the residents (of the more than 800 houses that were to be removed, 600 are still standing), the Residents' Commission was a recognized community force that decided the paths of the struggle.
Image description: This is a photograph of a densely populated urban area, with buildings close together. On the left side, we see tall, modern buildings, while on the right, there is a series of red-brick houses with colorful roofs, arranged on a hill. In the background, there are more buildings and a mountain covered in vegetation.Vista do Morro da Providência em 2022. Fonte: Wikipedia
How was it finding the teachers?
Some teachers have been here for more than 10 years, others for more than 5. However, every year there is some turnover among teachers. We run campaigns on social media for recruitment and select those who align with the pré's perspective. This is because what matters is not only that they commit to preparing and giving classes, but also that they engage in the management of Machado, building it organically.
What can we expect from the pre-college entrance exam prep program in the future?
First of all, that it continues to serve the children of Providência's workers as a space for building and achieving the dream of entering a public university. Secondly, that the pre-college prep course continues to be a reference space for the favela, promoting reflections and actions beyond the classroom, which involve the community and can help it in its most diverse struggles.
