This is Rocinha, Latin America’s largest favela. And at its heart beats Acorda Capoeira—a sanctuary born of struggle, shaped by music, movement, and resilience. Beneath the watchful eye of the Morro, where forgotten dreams still echo, Mestre Manel has built a place where children learn to grow wings.

Capoeira—part dance, part fight, part prayer—is more than a practice here. It’s salvation. It’s a language. It’s the rhythm of survival. What began as a playful escape became Manel’s life’s mission: to give his community dignity, direction, and the power to choose a different future. Barefoot and open-hearted, he’s passed down more than just movement—he’s taught generations how to belong.

Walking alongside him is Nadia Krawiecka, an international fashion photographer whose lens once chased beauty, but now captures something far more profound. What started as a personal search turned into a full-hearted surrender to the spirit of Acorda Capoeira and the children who bring it to life. Her photographs are more than portraits—they’re visual poems of resilience, joy, and shared humanity. Love letters to the bruises, the breakthroughs, and the beauty found in motion.

Together, their work is a duet of devotion: he, the keeper of the Roda; she, the witness. In a place where a fight becomes a dance and a meal becomes a miracle, Acorda Capoeira is living proof that even in the most fragile corners, light can rise—and thrive.

Mestre Manel – Founder of Acorda Capoeira

“Capoeira first came into my life as a kind of game. I didn’t take it very seriously at the time. It wasn’t until years later that I realized how important it would become. I hadn’t had the chance to study, I couldn’t access certain jobs… but Capoeira opened a door. It gave me the chance to do something better with my life. That’s when I began to train seriously and devote myself to it. Today, it’s become my profession.

Capoeira is about connection. It awakens every human sense. You play, you sing, you dance, you step into a circle—and in that circle, you reflect on who you are and how you relate to those beside you. As you grow within the practice, you start to understand that it arms you with tools to survive. You begin to want more for yourself, to improve, so you can stay within that circle of people who lift each other up.

In my community, I’m a friend to everyone. I’ve lived in this favela for 42 years, and Capoeira has given me respect—it’s made me feel embraced by my people. That’s what keeps me moving forward every day. Sometimes, I can’t make a living from it here. I have admiration, yes—but financially, the community doesn’t have much to give. So I go outside. I teach in private schools, I connect with people outside the favela so I can bring them in, and through Capoeira, offer something back to my community.

The mission is to pass on good habits. To plant seeds in these kids. To talk about life, education, how to treat people, how to live with dignity. That’s the goal. If you’re surrounded by good people, you become virtuous. You can find work. You can grow into a good man. In Brazil, we live in a society where the poor are often denied opportunity. We don’t always have the conditions to succeed. But Capoeira can make a difference—it can be that opportunity. A way for young people to connect, to socialize, to find their path.

The greatest challenge for youth in the favelas is the illegal trade. If they don’t find something to fall in love with—something to hold on to—they risk falling into a trap they may never escape. It’s not just a favela issue, it’s a society-wide issue. That’s why we need to raise good people—everywhere. Because if you’re grounded in community, in integrity, you can live anywhere—Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana, Barra—without trouble. But if you cause harm, you’ll face the same problems in any country. It all starts with being a good citizen, wherever you are.

Every day, I give thanks for this space we’ve built—our space. Acorda Capoeira already helps so many. Here, people can come for coffee, for lunch, stay the whole day. The dream is to grow—to create a bigger space, with a psychologist, language classes in English, French, German… A kind of mini-college where youth can study, eat, drink, learn, and prepare to step into the world. That’s what I envision for Acorda Capoeira—a place that supports them in every possible way. Because the world is hard. And from here, it’s even harder.

But I believe in young people. They have incredible potential. If they start taking care of themselves, there’s nothing they can’t do. They’re full of energy, full of talent. The most beautiful part of my work is trying to offer these kids a better life. That’s why I’m so proud of this project. Today, I see boys who came from this very community now living in the U.S., in Norway, Italy, Portugal, Chile… speaking four languages, working in all kinds of professions. And Capoeira—Capoeira is still with them. That, to me, is the greatest joy. The greatest hope.”

Nadia Krawiecka – Photographer 

“I discovered Acorda Capoeira last November while searching for a social project to support. I’ve been to Brazil many times, and I wanted this trip to mean something more. I was trying to find a sense of balance. I’ve spent most of my career in the fashion industry, but I’d started to feel a moral and ethical conflict inside. I had saved some money and wanted to find a way to help children in a favela. Then, by pure chance, a stranger I met in Rocinha introduced me to Acorda Capoeira.

The first time I saw them wasn’t during a training—it was a performance. And the energy? It was overwhelming. So pure, so powerful. I was blown away. I knew instantly that I wanted to stay, to get to know them, to be part of it. That very same day, I decided to move to Rocinha for the rest of my time in Rio—so I wouldn’t miss a single moment.

Acorda Capoeira is incredibly layered. It’s not just martial art or culture—it’s a school of life. Mestre Manel and Fabiana are building something truly transformative. They’re offering children real opportunities, teaching them languages, guiding them toward better paths. And Capoeira itself? It’s such a beautiful fusion—part fight, part music, part dance. There’s something in it for everyone.

I’ve had so many unforgettable moments—especially with the kids. The love they showed me was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. They gave me their toys, their bracelets, their drawings. Some even called me ‘mom.’ That level of love… it’s hard to describe. I try every day to give it back—to support them emotionally, to offer them a different perspective on life. This journey with them is the most unique and meaningful experience of my life. I honestly hope it never ends.

I spent every single day with them. Even when I was back in Paris, I stayed in touch with them every day. It’s emotionally intense. Of course, I wish I could change the world and save them all—but I know that’s not how it works. The reality is complicated: the system, the families, the daily survival. That’s why people like Mestre and Fabiana are so extraordinary—they fight for every single child, every single day.

And when it comes to Capoeira—I absolutely love photographing them. Their dedication is unbelievable. Capoeira was created as a form of resistance against the oppression of enslaved people. I feel that it still carries emotional weight. It’s a symbol of the fight for freedom and for the future. It’s not just a sport, it’s a way of life. Even after long training sessions, they come together again for the roda. Their energy never seems to run out. They give so much of themselves, training four, sometimes five times a week. It’s deeply inspiring.

I always tell my friends in Europe: take a moment to appreciate how lucky you are. Your family, your stability, your opportunities—most of these kids don’t have any of that. Some don’t even have parents to care for them. What they do have, though, is Capoeira. And that’s everything.

That’s why I want to bring more people into this. I’m looking for sponsors, for partners—brands that can support the project. Whether it’s food, clothes, passports—anything helps. These kids deserve a chance. And we can be the ones to help give it to them.”