WEBVTT 00:00:01.457 --> 00:00:04.454 Our world has many superheroes. 00:00:04.454 --> 00:00:10.012 But they have the worst of all superpowers: invisibility. 00:00:10.012 --> 00:00:12.349 For example, the catadores, 00:00:12.349 --> 00:00:16.462 workers who collect recyclable materials for a living. 00:00:16.462 --> 00:00:21.122 Catadores emerged from social inequality, unemployment, 00:00:21.122 --> 00:00:24.141 and the abundance of solid waste 00:00:24.141 --> 00:00:28.740 from the deficiency of the waste collection system. 00:00:28.740 --> 00:00:34.500 Catadores provide a heavy, honest and essential work 00:00:34.500 --> 00:00:39.441 that benefits the entire population. But they are not acknowledged for it. 00:00:39.441 --> 00:00:46.128 Here in Brazil, they collect 90 percent of all the waste that's actually recycled. NOTE Paragraph 00:00:47.442 --> 00:00:50.164 Most of the catadores work independently, 00:00:50.164 --> 00:00:55.575 picking waste from the streets and selling to junk yards at very low prices. 00:00:55.575 --> 00:00:58.970 They may collect over 300 kilos 00:00:58.970 --> 00:01:03.825 in their bags, shopping carts, bicycles and carroças. 00:01:04.505 --> 00:01:07.351 Carroças are carts built from wood or metal 00:01:07.351 --> 00:01:10.169 and found in several streets in Brazil, 00:01:10.169 --> 00:01:12.792 much like graffiti and street art. 00:01:12.792 --> 00:01:17.743 And this is how I first met these marginalized superheroes. NOTE Paragraph 00:01:17.743 --> 00:01:20.023 I am a graffiti artist and activist 00:01:20.023 --> 00:01:26.208 and my art is social, environmental and political in nature. 00:01:26.208 --> 00:01:31.370 In 2007, I took my work beyond walls and onto the carroças, 00:01:31.370 --> 00:01:34.324 as a new urban support for my message. 00:01:34.324 --> 00:01:38.141 But at this time, giving voice to the catadores. 00:01:38.141 --> 00:01:43.482 By adding art and humor to the cause, it became more appealing, 00:01:43.482 --> 00:01:46.050 which helped call attention to the catadores 00:01:46.050 --> 00:01:47.975 and improve their self-esteem. 00:01:47.975 --> 00:01:53.256 And also, they are famous now on the streets, on mass media and social. NOTE Paragraph 00:01:53.256 --> 00:01:55.945 So, the thing is, 00:01:55.945 --> 00:01:59.902 I plunged into this universe and have not stopped working since. 00:01:59.902 --> 00:02:03.336 I have painted over 200 carroças in many cities 00:02:03.336 --> 00:02:07.301 and have been invited to do exhibitions and trips worldwide. 00:02:07.301 --> 00:02:11.953 And then I realized that Catadores, in their invisibility, 00:02:11.953 --> 00:02:13.871 are not exclusive to Brazil. 00:02:13.871 --> 00:02:23.002 I met them in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, South Africa, Turkey 00:02:23.002 --> 00:02:28.104 and even in developed countries such as the United States and Japan. 00:02:28.104 --> 00:02:32.820 And this was when I realized that I needed to have more people join the cause 00:02:32.820 --> 00:02:34.653 because it's a big challenge. 00:02:34.653 --> 00:02:40.455 And then, I created a collaborative movement called Pimp my Carroça, 00:02:40.455 --> 00:02:44.142 which is a large crowdfunded event, 00:02:44.142 --> 00:02:45.169 Thank you. 00:02:45.169 --> 00:02:47.978 (Applause). 00:02:48.868 --> 00:02:52.840 So Pimp my Carroça is a large crowdfunded event 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:55.576 to help Catadores in their Carroças. 00:02:55.576 --> 00:02:59.635 Catadores are assisted by well-being professionals and healthcare like 00:02:59.635 --> 00:03:06.393 physicians, dentists, podiatrists, hair stylists, massage therapists 00:03:06.393 --> 00:03:07.698 and much more. 00:03:07.698 --> 00:03:12.667 But also, they also receive safety shirts, gloves, rain coats and eye glasses 00:03:12.667 --> 00:03:14.762 to see in high-definition, the city, 00:03:14.762 --> 00:03:19.780 while their Carroças are renovated by our incredible volunteers. 00:03:19.780 --> 00:03:22.189 And then they receive safety items, too: 00:03:22.189 --> 00:03:24.554 reflective tapes, horns and mirrors. 00:03:24.554 --> 00:03:27.119 Then, finally, painted by a street artist 00:03:27.119 --> 00:03:31.470 and become part of part of this huge, amazing mobile art exhibition. NOTE Paragraph 00:03:32.420 --> 00:03:38.208 Pimp my Carroças took the streets of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba. 00:03:38.208 --> 00:03:42.907 But to meet the demand in other cities, including outside of Brazil, 00:03:42.907 --> 00:03:48.092 we have created Pimpx, which is inspired by TEDx, 00:03:48.092 --> 00:03:54.026 and it's a simplified, do-it-yourself, crowdfund edition of Pimp my Carroça. 00:03:54.026 --> 00:03:57.016 So now everybody can join. NOTE Paragraph 00:03:57.016 --> 00:04:05.150 In two years, over 170 Catadores, 800 volunteers and 200 street artists 00:04:05.150 --> 00:04:07.126 and more than 1000 donors 00:04:07.126 --> 00:04:10.001 have been involved in the Pimp my Carroça movement, 00:04:10.001 --> 00:04:14.575 whose actions have even been used in teaching recycling at a local school. NOTE Paragraph 00:04:16.095 --> 00:04:20.108 So Catadores are leaving invisibility behind 00:04:20.108 --> 00:04:23.662 and becoming increasingly respected and valued. 00:04:23.662 --> 00:04:28.219 Because of their pimped carroças, they are able to fight back prejudice, 00:04:28.219 --> 00:04:32.109 increase their income and their interaction with society. NOTE Paragraph 00:04:32.109 --> 00:04:33.311 So now, 00:04:33.311 --> 00:04:37.043 I'd like to challenge you to start looking at and acknowledging 00:04:37.043 --> 00:04:41.065 the Catadores and other invisible superheroes from your city. 00:04:41.065 --> 00:04:46.134 Try to see the world as one, without boundaries or frontiers. 00:04:46.134 --> 00:04:47.764 Believe it or not, 00:04:47.764 --> 00:04:53.785 there are over 20 million Catadores worldwide. 00:04:53.785 --> 00:04:56.405 So next time you see one, 00:04:56.405 --> 00:05:01.066 recognize them as a vital part of our society. 00:05:01.066 --> 00:05:03.710 Muito orbigado, thank you. 00:05:03.710 --> 00:05:09.468 (Applause).