Babilônia Utopia (collective)

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About the collective

The collective was created as a community space to dream utopias, and it is hosted in a house located in the Babilônia garden (Jardim da Babilônia). The Babilônia Utopia collective provides services and space for the many crucial activities of the community, such as psychological assistance for residents, a community radio (Jambal FM), a community library, a cinema club, classes for adults, elderly and children and a political training course, amongst others. The project was founded as is supported in a collaborative way, by donations.

The Babilônia favela

Babilônia is located in the hill of Babilônia, between the Vermelha and Leme beaches (southern region of Rio de Janeiro). To reach the favela you have to go up the street of Ladeira Ari Barroso. When you arrive at the top of the Ladeira, the Chápeu Mangueira favela is on the right, whereas if you go to the left, you will arrive at the favelas of Babilônia. The two favelas are part of the Leme neighbourhood. The first houses of the favela have been built in 1907 and, according to historical data, in 1920, Babilônia had 59 households. Today, Babilônia and Chapéu Mangueira have - together - a population of 3,739 residents.

THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION

Casa Babilônia Lines of action

Library + black authors collection
Children's Reading Circle
Youth Book Club
After school tutoring
Collective and individual psychologicalcare
Collaborative creative writing
Legal Assistance
Citizen’s conversation circle
Improving your posture class
Workshops
Community Radio

View Casa Babilônia

The project has been set up by André Constantine and Alvaro Maciel, two residents of Babilônia, born and raised in this favela. André is part of two other collectives: Favela Não Se Cala and Stop Killing Us. Alvaro Maciel also coordinates several cultural projects and takes part in collectives from other territories of the city, such as the collective of psychoanalysts Trivium, Praçaterapia and Jararaca.

How to help?
To help keep the house open, please make a donation online!Click here and check it out!

Actions against the Pandemic

Sanitization of Babilônia in partnership with the favela of Santa Marta

The first sanitization operations in Babilônia took place on April 18. These actions will continue throughout the month and May,both in Babilônia and Chapéu Mangueira.

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Sanitization training for residents

We offer training for residents to use hygiene equipment safely, so more people can develop activities to sanitize the favela.

Distribution of cleaning and hygiene kits

The kits were delivered on April 16. Kits included gloves and alcohol and cleaning products. These kits were donated by residents of the Leme neighborhood.