In Brazil, a poor area called Vale Encantado wants to save nature. This place is in the forest near Rio de Janeiro. Only about 27 families live there. The area is small but beautiful. It has trees, birds, and fresh air.
But the city wants to remove the favela. Officials say the people do not have the right to live there. The families are sad and worried. They do not want to leave. So, they start a big project to protect their home.
The people in Vale Encantado love their home. One man, Mr. Caetano, says, “This is our place. We don’t want to go.”
To save the favela, the people start doing something new. They clean their area. They plant trees. They stop throwing trash in the forest. They want to show that they care for nature.
They Go Green
The favela becomes a green project. They collect rainwater. They use solar power. They recycle plastic. They teach others how to protect the forest.
Tourists visit to learn more. They walk on forest paths. They eat food from the favela. The people earn money from the tours. They use the money to build more green projects.
More people hear about Vale Encantado. It becomes famous. Journalists come. TV shows talk about it. The people are proud. They work hard every day. They want to show the world: poor communities can help the planet too.
Source: bbc.com
Vocabulary for the Article
Favela – a poor part of a city where people build simple homes.
Many families live in the favela.
Forest – a place with many trees and animals.
The favela is inside a forest.
Family – people who live together as one group.
Only 27 families live in Vale Encantado.
Remove – to take away from a place.
The city wants to remove the favela.
Worried – feeling afraid or not happy about something.
The people are sad and worried.
Protect – to keep something safe.
They want to protect their home.
Project – a plan to do something important.
The people start a green project.
Trash – waste or garbage.
They stop throwing trash in the forest.
Plant – to put seeds or trees in the ground.
They plant many trees.
Rainwater – water that comes from the sky.
They collect rainwater to use.
Solar power – energy from the sun.
They use solar power for energy.
Recycle – to use things again.
They recycle plastic bottles.
Tourist – a person who visits a place.
Tourists come to see the favela.
Path – a small road for walking.
Tourists walk on forest paths.
Proud – feeling happy about something good.
The people are proud of their work.
Community – a group of people living in one place.
The community works together.
Nature – all plants, animals, and land.
They love to protect nature.
Teach – to help someone learn.
They teach others about the forest.
Money – what people use to buy things.
They earn money from tourists.
Planet – the Earth, where we all live.
They want to help the planet.
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