Golden Island … a “Love Story”

Could there be a more beautiful name than Golden Island - Ilha do Ouro? It's an old "love story," but not the kind you might think. Let me try to be brief (ahem).

Over 20 years ago, I happened to find myself there (or was it fate?) during one of my existential wanderings. I was supposed to stay for only 2 days. A local priest - father Isaias - who was fighting with the Ilha do Ouro farmers for land reform had left me there. Land for people, not for a single rich "fazendeiro” (big farmer) ... In the end, I stayed for a month... to better understand their struggle, to experience the incredible hospitality of the people, and to appreciate the enchanting place.

A place overlooking the São Francisco River, the "Velho Chico," Brazil's longest, most beautiful, and imposing river. I lived with the people, got up at 4 am to help in the fields, chatted for hours with the adults who had adopted me, played with the children, swam in the river, crossing it in a canoe...

At the end, I returned to Brussels where I raised funds for a local agricultural development project. I returned to the island several times, bringing friends who became passionate about it. I continued to exchange letters with some of them, Zefave (the charming lady and community leader you see above with me), Patinha, Luisa, Elizangela, Isaias, amongst many others.

Then, as often happens, life distances you from certain experiences. But not from the heart.

Two years ago, when it was time to leave Brazil "definitely," I decided to go back. I didn't know if and when I would return to Brazil, so I wanted to somehow close a (beautiful) chapter of my life. Hoping to find someone. When I arrived, the thought took over and my heart raced that they had all left. You know... rural exodus is very strong in Brazil. I imagined them in São Paulo, Rio, Aracaju. And then... even if they had stayed, who would have recognized me?

Instead, an incredible, huge surprise awaited me. Children had become adults, and the adults ... a little more adult and above all so much newfound affection, so many hugs. The Netinhos and the Afonsos, the Polianas and the Luisas were still there. Each and every one remembered that period very well, from which they had made their own path. Roughly speaking, they were growing and this gave me enormous satisfaction. I could close with peace of mind a beautiful chapter of my life. But I hadn't reckoned with smarphone technology...

Now with many of the inhabitants of Ilha do Ouro, including Luisa showing a photo I took 30 years ago, we keep in touch with whatsapp... not all technology is evil!

Luisa, the little girl and the stove … 30 years after, she works in Porto da Folha school