Who would have thought that making people happy would lower the crime rate? Well the major of Brazil's once sixth deadliest town, thought that happiness had to be the key to safe living, and wouldn't you know it he was right!
Some 100 miles northeast of Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, lies Vila Boa, and it is here that major de Brito set forth to change his city for good. Implementing a drainage system to prevent flooding, creating roads, schools, a community center, soccer field, along with social services and employment training has given the once deadly town a face lift both inside and out. The town once boasted the rating of 6th deadliest town in Brazil is now ranked at 298th on the countries Violence Map.
“For the first time in Brazilian history, we have had three years in which the measures of fatal violence have fallen. There is light at the end of the tunnel.” says Julio Jacobo Waiselfisz, author of the Violence Map, in regards to Vila Boa and other towns who have taken similar measures as de Brito's(CSMonitor)
Imagine how the world would look if we only showed all our global citizens, especially children, that they have value and gave people something to treasure and have respect in. Hum invest in people and you will see the return, is this really something new? I guess we can all take a page out de Brito's book…community investment is the way forward, now why didn't I think of that!
Happy children do commit less crimes and fall victim to predators, happy families are less likely to fall prey to to exploitation; but regardless it is sustainable development that is the true key to a life with less crime and happiness. Without visions of a sustainable future children will continue to be victimized, and fall prey to the social pitfalls left by inadequate governments, social systems and global communities.
