Inalva Mendes Brito, 65, takes a moment in her backyard by the lagoon in Vila Autodromo, a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Every day, Inalva comes to the lagoon to dispose of litter that gets trapped in the plants that are in her yard.
Rock in Rio, a concert arena that was built directly across the lagoon, among other things, have caused direct pollution of her land. Prior to these images, in looking ahead to the 2016 Olympics, the government had made numerous attempts to evict the people who lived in this favela, or shantytown.
Inalva was one of those who continued to resist the evictions.
Brito prepares homemade guava smoothies while her husband works in the garage at their home in Vila Autodromo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Therezinha Barbosa, 75, discusses the difficulties dealing with the threat of eviction from Vila Autodromo because of her age.
Antonio Carlos, who owns a construction business in Vila Autodromo, discusses his business dealing with the upcoming Olympics. Carlos said that if the government makes him move further away, no one will hire him.
Wanessa Christine Quintiano, 17, plays with her baby cousin Ana Clara, 20 months, outside of their home in Vila Autodromo. Quintiano is of age to just be entering the workforce. Quintiano also said that all of her family and friends live in the favela. If she is forced to move, she will be taken away from everything she knows.
Wanessa Christine Quintiano, 17, plays with her baby cousin Ana Clara, 20 months, outside of their home in Vila Autodromo. Quintiano is of age to just be entering the workforce.
Vila Autodromo doesn't receive city services, but Brito seems to manage.
Brito's husband Elias Serafim discusses his feelings about the threat of eviction for a proposed Olympic roadway in his home in Vila Autodromo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Brito's dog relaxes on the back porch of her home in Vila Autodromo.
Brito's home is decorated with photos and artwork that hang on the wall. Brito, a school teacher, has maintained a middle class life in the favela.
Inalva Mendes Brito, 65, takes a moment in her backyard in Vila Autodromo by the lagoon, which is heavily polluted.
Vila Autodromo, the favela where Brito lives, originated as a fishing village. Those who presented fishing permits to the goverment, like those shown here, were less likely to be removed from the favela. Brito keeps them safely tucked away in a plastic container with other personal documents.
Inalva's husband Elias Serafim watches her leave their home in Vila Autodromo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brito says if the government has its way this time, one day, when Brito leaves home, she will be unable to return.
The entrance to the planned relocation area of Vila Autodromo, which has been deemed a high-risk area for mudslides.
The area that the government is trying to relocate Vila Autodromo to is a previously heavily mined area that is now at dangerous risk of mudslides. Brito holds the mineral in her hand that was been mined from the mountain surrounding the area.
Painter Izaias Rosa lives in the town next to the area that Vila Autodromo has been proposed to be relocated to. He says that at night, they leave their doors open, but wouldn't be able to do that if the town moves next to his.
Brito describes the differences between this town and hers. She stands at the edge of an open sewer that runs through the town next to the area where the government is trying to relocate Vila Autodromo.
Construction in an area near Brito's home includes both low-end and high-end condominium development.
Construction in an area near Brito's home includes both low-end and high-end condominium development, among other things dealing with the Olympics.
The planned location for the Olympic athlete village is just a few minute's drive from Brito's home in Vila Autodromo.
The Brazilian Olympic Committee building in Barra de Tijuca, a neighborhood in Brazil outside of the central city that is seeing rapid development.
From right, sisters Joyce, 6, and Raissa, 7, giggle and embrace during a game of hopscotch while cousin Maria Eduarda, 6, and sister Thamires, 10 watch in the background. The girls live in Vila Autodromo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a favela that the city is trying to evict because it lays in the plans for Olympic redevelopment for the 2016 games.
Sisters Thamires, 10, Joyce, 6, Raissa, 7, and cousin Maria (pink skirt), 6, giggle during a game of hopscotch in Vila Autodromo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a favela that the government is trying to evictbecause it lays on Olympic planning ground. The city is set to host the 2016 Olympic games.
Brito picks fruit that came from her trees outside. Everything that Brito grows is organic.
Brito talks on the phone in her home in Vila Autodromo in Rio de Janeiro. Brito and her husband, Elias, have been fighting eviction from the government for over 20 years, the most recent reason being Olympic redevelopment.