As football cheer reaches fever pitch, preparations of the Santa Marta favela in Rio de Janeiro for the FIFA World Cup were at full speed. Residents painted alleys, small plazas, staircases and bars of the hill with the support of AkzoNobel Paints’ project "Tudo de cor para você" which translates to a newly coined greeting, “All the colour for you”.
They are vast collections of shanty type accommodation that stretch for miles forming almost a city in themselves. These close knit communities are known for their unique and vibrant culture. It is a feature so intrinsic to this “Country of Football’ that Google selected it for its homepage doodle.
Approximately 19% of Rio’s population live in these communities which originated in the late 19th century, initially built by homeless soldiers.
In preparation for the World Cup, residents spontaneously decorated the favela with special paints, flags and ribbons in Brazilian colors.
AkzoNobel brand, Tintas Coral provides the material for painting, including painting equipment. In the lead up to the World Cup, teenagers and adults coloured the hill in celebration of the Brazilian National Team with Tintas Coral supporting their enthusiasm.
AkzoNobel’s global ‘Let’s color’ initiative was originally introduced in Brazil under the name Tudo de cor. The world’s largest manufacturer of paints and coatings, believes color has the power to inspire.
The initiative spreads color and joy wherever it goes, demonstrating the power of regeneration afforded by color to people and communities.
In Sri Lanka, AkzoNobel is represented by Dulux, Keeping true to the call to action “Let’s color” in Sri Lanka, Dulux spreads the power of colour for transformation in the local community each year in October with the global celebration of “Let’s colour week”.
Dulux is also recognised for its dedication to the prevention of child abuse. Through its Dulux Child Protection Trust Fund (DCPTF) it committedly cares for abused children and aids other organisations to fight the threat of abuse.
