The Serrana region of Rio state

the Serrana region of Rio state The home wasn’t anything fancy. Brick walls, with cement tile roofing. It had a couple of zhongyao rooms, a place to do laundry and a tiny kitchen. But it was a home, their home, and the air was mountain crisp. It was a far cry from the urban slums and pollution of Rio de Janeiro. Manuel built this place with his own hands, he knew where every nail was pounded, and once his kids turned into adults he handed the place over to them to live in. He moved out to live down in the city, closer to work.

His kids, now adults, were a tight knit group. There was Alessandro, 25; Rudy, 28; Paola, 23 and her son , Pedro Lucas, who was two years old. All living together, to save money, in the house built by Dad.

In the early morning hours of January 12, as they all slept, a massive downpour hit the Serrana region of Rio state and caused massive mudslides and flash floods. The cascade of mud came sliding down the mountain, literally crushing everything in its path. Bridges, shacks, posh bed-and-breakfast hotels were all victims. Nothing was spared, including Manuel’s home with his three kids and grandchild inside.