Original version

BBC World Service

BBC World Service Radio

World Service Radio

Witness History

Podcasts

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: History

History as told by the people who were there

History as told by the people who were there.

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Witness History: Diary of life in a favela

Documentaries

Diary of Life in a Favela

12/02/2020 GMT

Diary of life in a favela

BBC World Service - Witness History, Diary of life in a favela

A shocking account of the realities of the slums of São Paulo

Carolina Maria de Jesus's diary, published in 1960, was a shocking account of the realities of slum life in São Paulo. It was a huge success and turned her into a celebrity.

A poor single mother of three, Carolina Maria de Jesus lived in a derelict shack and spent her days scavenging for food for her children, doing odd jobs and collecting paper and bottles. Her diary, written between 1955 and 1960, brought to life the harsh realities faced by thousands of poor Brazilians who arrived in cities like São Paulo and Rio looking for better opportunities. Her daughter, Vera Eunice de Jesus Lima, speaks to Thomas Pappon about how the book changed her family's life.

(Photo: Carolina Maria de Jesus in the Canindé Favela. Credit: Archive Audálio Dantas)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Witness History

Diary of life in a favela

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service

About BBC World Service