A favela is a slum. Many people cannot afford the apartments nor houses, and build houses out of whatever they can find. Those houses are crammed into small areas, called favelas. The favelas often don't have good water, nor enough electricity. They often don't have roads that are cared for, nor good sewage. The favelas are often right beside fancier apartment buildings. The poor don't find it easy to get schooling, medical care, and good jobs. Drug abuse and violence are common.

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