9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Our world has [br]many superheroes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But they have the worst of[br]all superpowers: invisibility. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 For example, the Catadores, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 workers who collect recyclable [br]materials for a living. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Catadores emerge from social [br]inequality, unemployment,[br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and the abundance [br]of solid waste[br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from the deficiency of the[br]waste collection system. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Catadores provide heavy, [br]honest and essential work 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that benefits the entire population. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But they are not [br]acknowledged for it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Here in Brazil, they collect[br]90 percent of all the waste 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that's actually recycled. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Most of the Catadores [br]work independent ally, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 picking waste on the streets[br]and selling to junk yards 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 at very low prices. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They may collect over 300 kilos 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in their bags, shopping carts,[br]bicycles and carroças. [br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Carroças are carts built [br]from wood or metal 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and found in several [br]streets in Brazil, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 much like graffiti and street art. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And this is how I first found [br]these marginalized superheroes . 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I am a graffiti artist and activist 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and my art is social, environmental [br]and political in nature. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In 2007, I took my work beyond walls[br]and onto the Carroças 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as a new mode of [br]support for my message. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But at this time, giving[br]voice to the Catadores. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 By adding art and humor[br]to the cause, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it became more appealing, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which helped call attention[br]to the Catadores 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and improve their self esteem. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and now they are famous on the street, [br]on mass media, in social. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The thing is, I plunged [br]into this universe 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and have not stopped [br]working since. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I have painted over 200 Carroças[br]in many cities 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and have been invited to do[br]exhibitions and trips worldwide. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And then I realized that Catadores,[br]in their invisibility, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 are not exclusive to Brazil. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I met them in Argentina, Chile, [br]Bolivia South Africa, Turkey 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and even developed countries such as[br]the United States and Japan. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And this was when I realized 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that I need to have more[br]people join the cause. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's a big challenge. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then, I created a collaborative movement 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 called Pimp my Carroça, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a large crowd fund event, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Applause) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Thank you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So Pimp my Carroça is a large[br]crowd fund event 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to help Catadores [br]in their Carroças. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Catadores are assisted by[br]wealthy professionals 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and healthcare-like physicians[br]dentists, podiatrists, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 stylists, and message therapists[br]and much more. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But they also receive safety shirts, [br]gloves, rain coats and eye glasses 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to see, in high definition, the city. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Their Carroças are renovated[br]by our incredible volunteers. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then receive safety items, too: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 reflective tapes, horns and mirrors. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then, finally, painted [br]by a street artist 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and become part of part of this[br]huge, amazing bio-art exhibition. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Pimp my Carroças took[br]the streets 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro[br]and Curitiba. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But to meet the demand[br]in other cities, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 including outside of Brazil, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we have created Pimpx 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 inspired by TEDx, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and it's a simplified, do it yourself, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 crowdfund edition of Pimp my Carroça 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so everybody can join. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In two years, over 170 Catadores 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 800 volunteers and 200 street artists 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and more than 100 donors 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 have been involved in the [br]Pimp my Carroça movement, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 whose actions have even been used 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to teach recycle at a local school. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, Catadores are leaving [br]invisibility behind 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 behind and becoming increasingly[br]respected and valued. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Because of their pimped carroças,[br]they are able to fight back prejudice, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 increase their income and [br]interaction with society. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So now, I'd like to challenge you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to start looking at and [br]acknowledging the Catadores 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and other invisible superheroes[br]from your city 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 try to see the world as one 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 without boundaries 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and tiers 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 believe it or not 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 there are over 20 millioncatadores worldwide 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so, next time you see one 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 recognize them as a vital part 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of our society 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Thank you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Applause