Maheli Costa #1 - Introduction

"I would rather die than being not able to help people."

The way we all deal with difficult situations differs. Although most of us probably - during the years of pandemic - went through relatively relatable situations. Most of us probably know someone who passed away, some of us lost our friends, partners, beloved ones. Even with all the suffering world was going through, miracles shows the path, the small beam shinning for mankind beside the road. That way all of us going through and not giving up.

There is one quote saying that you must at first loose something in your life so you can find what you were missing. And it is probably not that far from truth. With lost parts of soul, unbelievable coincidence gifted me with an opportunity to meet being, pure and dedicated Maheli Costa. Let me share with you her story not only about her as a medical professional, but as an extraordinary human being.

Maheli is graduated medical nurse who, for last years, has been traveling around the world helping as a volunteer in non-profit organizations.  This help given by her without any condition goes way much deeper into parts of her soul. I met Maheli during covid times, focused on her life journey, with questions which goes beyond the universum of ordinary mind. "(...) how can someone live the contrast of beauty and ugliness at the same place? This question started so early in my life and that is the reason I dedicate my life to help others in a certain way." asks Maheli.

Maheli Costa, 2020, © Maheli Costa

While Maheli is settled these days in Portugal, she comes from Rondonia state, the northern part of Brasil, more precisely the city called Ji-Paraná. Even-though the name is indigenous - means (Ji = ax; Paraná = river) literally, Ax River - the Indians in the area are few, compared to the population, and they live in Villages close to the town. But because the Rondonia is 933 km from Amazonia river the area is blessed with forests, rivers and same fauna and flora. This reflects the economy of the state has, as main activities the agriculture, livestock, food industry and vegetal and mineral extraction.

As some of the psychology studies suggest the effect of environment, speaking of the nature itself, has significant impact on the perception and relationships not only to the nature. "My place offered me the green environment with refreshing air and beautiful views, but more than that, it gave strength and motivation to do the "impossible" happen, to make dreams come true." explains Maheli.

Furthermore "I grew up in a humble district, we have violence and bad things happen around us, but my parents were pacific people and always taught me and my sister to be the same. So, we grew up in happy environment." says Maheli. The family, as she stated multiple times while we were in discussion, has been important for her and her youth: "There I learned to dream to travel the world and help people all around. Once you are a child, growing in a place, like mine, people don't really believe you could have great achievements in life." explains Maheli. Situation is more difficult speaking of local habits related to the poverty and general social environment in areas of South America. As Maheli explains, a youth in Brasil is like intersection for upcoming life: "As a teenager, the girls in school would get pregnant in an early age, some boys would chose drugs traffic and robbery, a few students would remain students till the end of high school and just 1 to 5 % would go to college. From my entirely family and relatives, both, my mother and father's side, I was the second to go to college and finish it, the first, was my mom."

Talking about education in Brazil is talking about the uncertainties, hopes and frustrations of a youth. By the Brazilian legislation, basic education is mandatory up to 17 years of age. It is the duty of the State to offer from Early Childhood Education to High School for free to the population. It is required of those responsible for young people to be mandatory in school. Young people aged 18 and over who were unable to attend schooling are not required to attend the educational process. However, access to other types of education is encouraged for continuing studies. "What we can see is that the importance of public policies for the family is forgotten, as many of them live in vulnerability and cannot prioritize education in the face of extreme conditions. One of the factors is the economic condition that ends up "disputing" with education. Because on the one hand the priority is to have something to eat and survive and on the other hand to study to have a better future." explains Cristina Barbosa, teacher specialized in social psychology and psychopedagogy from Brazil. "It is not uncommon to have children who go to school to eat at least one meal a day. And the few family incentive programs are not enough to continue education in a dignified way. Therefore, the majority of young people who did not complete basic education certainly lived in conflicting conditions between wanting and needing. These same young people are those who enter the job market informally or in menial jobs to support their families." explains Cristina.

Maheli continues with memories to her childhood: "I remember telling my friends or relatives, when I was a child, that I would learn different languages and would travel to many places in the world. They would laugh and say, that people like us, could not achieve such things, it was a dream too high for us. Well, I always felt I could "beat the system", so I did." The dreams, which may be so painfully killed during youth, were crucial for Maheli: "Today I'm a polyglot and I traveled already to countries from 4 continents, and of course, I still want to learn more languages and get to visit as many places as I can. I grew up in a place that dreaming high wasn't for me, but I didn't let this discouraged me."

"I'm thankful for everything that led me to where I am now and to what I became today."

Maheli's dedication is to help people. In fact more than that. She helps people and she does that without hesitation and without expectation to getting anything in exchange. She does it by purity of her heart which becomes bigger with every moment: "I had with me the desire to help others, because I always saw my parents doing that. As time went by I saw that those actions paid off, and they just were and still are part of who I am, my story, my legacy. So, I don't help others for a particular purpose or waiting for something in exchange, I help others because this is who I am, and you know? This we can't change, even if we try." says Maheli. Yes, this is Maheli.

Stay tuned and follow Dedicated to hear more about Maheli in upcoming stories.

Note by the founder:
This article, the first part of the Dedicated journey, probably explains the best because of what and why the Dedicated exists. People like Maheli may seem rare in this world. Yes they are. But there is more of them than we think. They may remain invisible due to their humbleness. Yet it does not mean they should stay in the shadows. They change this world to a better place and while they may feel alone, they are not and never will be.

Maheli Costa, Cristina Barbosa, Jan Rajtr
2022

Do you know anybody like Maheli? Feel free to contact us to share the story and allow us the help.