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São Paulo – Mirela Goi, 33 years of age, was born in Araçatuba, in the interior of the state of São Paulo, loves the culture of the Middle East and Africa and dreams of travelling to both regions. However, travelling abroad alone will be a great challenge, as she can only move around in her motorized wheelchair. "I am not afraid. People are the same. There are good and bad people everywhere," stated Mirela. Mirela (L) and a friend. She wants to visit Dubai and Tunisia
Passion and interest in Arab culture caused Mirela to start studying the language, religion and cuisine, which even resulted in the creation of a blog about the Arab world, "My Arabic Heart". In the site, Mirela posts varied articles about the Arab nations, mainly texts related to culture, entertainment, education and peace.
From time to time, she also dares to write poetry. "My desire is to write a book about Arab culture," she says. For this, Mirela wants to travel to the region to learn more about the matter.
"I want to demystify the bias there is with regard to Arab culture," she said. According to Mirela, before studying the culture of the region more deeply, she made friends with a Tunisian with whom she discussed the customs she could not understand. "I can now understand this culture better. I think that we must be more tolerant," she says.
Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, and Tunisia are the places Mirela wants to visit, as she has friends there who could help her. In May, she had planned a trip to Nigeria (where she also has friends) and she also planned to visit Dubai. "My intention was to visit friends and live a rich experience with which to feed my blog and write a book," she says.
The trip did not work out. The airline would not permit Mirela to travel alone due to her motion disability. She had polio when she was four months old, causing her to lose 80% of the movement in her arms and legs.
At the time, the Brazilian could not take a companion and had to postpone her trip. Up to now, Mirela is not sure that she needs to take anyone. "I would like to go alone. It would be a challenge," she said.
Currently, Mirela has friends in several Arab nations, like the Emirates, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Algeria, as well as Tunisia and other African countries. Her friends were made on the Internet, often in chat rooms, but Mirela also has Arab friends and friends of Arab descent in São Paulo. One of her friends, belly-dancing teacher Merit Aton, who is also a physiotherapist and Arab culture researcher, is one of the people responsible for having got her a motorized wheelchair.
Five years ago the ballerina danced in São Paulo to try to organise the 7,000 Brazilian reals (US$ 4,400) to buy the wheelchair for Mirela, who at the time could only walk using braces on her legs and with the support of another person, as Mirela's arms are not strong enough to use crutches. "I can now ride buses by myself, and I go to work and return home alone," she explained.
Mirela, who is an administrative assistant at the sustainability and corporate responsibility department at CPFL Energy (an electric energy company), is concerned that in Tunisia and Dubai, for example, she may not be able to move alone. "I need to know whether there is easy access to disabled people," she says, adding that in October or November she plans to travel to the city of Moulares, in Tunisia, where she has a friend.
Cinema
Mirela has always been a warrior. Despite having suffered from polio, she never quit seeking her objectives and dreams. She went to school, Computer Engineering college, studied English, was the leader of a university group at Japanese NGO Brazil Soka Gakki International (BSGI) and, with the help of friends, established cinema portal CineTotal.com.br, which was nominated for the last edition of the Brazilian IBEST internet award.
According to her, the portal has over 16,000 people registered and counts on several collaborators and journalists. The site has partnerships with the main film distributors, like Sony and Fox, and has already organised over 150 promotions.
Further information
Blog: www.myarabicheart.blogspot.com
Portal: www.cinetotal.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
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