Alvinho, as Adriano Álvaro Melo is known, turned 10 in April this year in a temporary housing facility in Cabo Frio, in the Região dos Lagos area. This type of establishment temporarily serves people living on the streets, in abandonment, or in social vulnerability. The boy was born in Complexo do Alemão and once lived in an apartment in Itaboraí, in the Greater Rio area, but currently faces homelessness alongside his mother, Priscila, 42 years old.
Since leaving the residence in Itaboraí, mother and son have been through two shelters in Rio de Janeiro: one on Ilha do Governador and a more recent one in Grajaú, both in the North Zone of the capital. They are now at the Cabo Frio facility, where they celebrated Alvinho's 10th birthday without the presence of friends and relatives.
Despite the vulnerable situation, Alvinho is described as a gifted child who has already created a computer game, taught himself English, participated in chess and robotics competitions, and completed a course at Harvard. His mother Priscila is the one responsible for caring for her son during this difficult time.
The boy keeps his eyes on the future and revealed his dream: to study in Europe and become a great robot builder. His story illustrates the contrast between his exceptional intellectual abilities and the difficulties faced by his family regarding stable housing.
