“Waters at Desert”: Alba Valéria’s Documentary Gives a Voice to Mothers of Autistic Children and Encourages Reflection on Inclusion

The documentary is scheduled for release in July 2027 in Rio de Janeiro and aims to raise public awareness of the challenges faced by families of autistic children.

Prejudice, social exclusion, and the lack of support networks for mothers of autistic children are the central themes of “Waters in the Desert” (Águas no Deserto), a documentary conceived and produced by Alba Valéria de Oliveira Corrêa Garcia, a Brazilian artist, educational mediator, singer, and writer. The film is scheduled for release in July 2027 in Rio de Janeiro.

The project was inspired by Alba’s experiences throughout her career in education and by her encounters with mothers of autistic children who shared stories of isolation, emotional exhaustion, and difficulties in ensuring that their children had opportunities to participate in social activities.

Among the accounts that moved her most were those of mothers who stopped receiving invitations to birthday parties after their children were diagnosed with autism. These stories reveal how misinformation and prejudice can deprive children of important childhood experiences while deepening the isolation experienced by their families.

More than portraying difficulties, the documentary seeks to inspire empathy, promote understanding, and encourage meaningful actions toward inclusion. Its purpose is to show that respect for differences begins in everyday relationships, through interactions among children, greater awareness among families, and the creation of more welcoming environments.

Alba’s journey is closely connected to education and the promotion of human dignity. Born in Itaperuna, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, she walked approximately five kilometers each day to attend school during her childhood. Throughout her professional career, she worked in public education and as an educational mediator, experiences that strengthened her commitment to social transformation. She is currently in the eighth semester of her undergraduate degree in Social Work.

As a singer and writer, Alba is also the author of the book and song Águas no Deserto (Waters in the Desert). The title symbolizes the hope that emerges even in difficult times and reflects the message she wishes to share with audiences through audiovisual storytelling.

With its release scheduled for July 2027 in Rio de Janeiro, the documentary aims to expand public dialogue about autism, atypical motherhood, inclusion, and support networks, bringing visibility to families whose stories deserve to be heard and acknowledged.

“Waters at Desert” conveys an essential message: no child should be excluded for being different, and no mother should have to face the challenges of motherhood alone. The film seeks to transform real-life experiences into an invitation to reflection, respect, and the building of a more compassionate and inclusive society.

INVEST IN GUINE EQUATORIAL BY FABIO ELY ZENNARO

 

Fábio Ely Zennaro Ramos, President of the International Chamber for Equatorial Guinea and Brazil Affairs, announces an initiative aimed at strengthening trade relations, investments, and the creative economy between the two countries.

São Paulo will host Invest in Equatorial Guinea in May 2027. The international event is scheduled to take place at Expo Center Norte, with the purpose of bringing together business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and institutions from Brazil and Equatorial Guinea.

The initiative is promoted by the International Chamber for Equatorial Guinea and Brazil Affairs, represented by its President, Fábio Ely Zennaro Ramos, and, according to the organization, has the support of the Government of Equatorial Guinea.

The project aims to stimulate new business opportunities, expand commercial and cultural exchange, and promote the creative economy.

Ready to book your visit to the Obama Presidential Center Museum? More tickets go live today at 10 a.m. CT! We’re releasing 10,000 tickets for December 2026 and 17,000 tickets for March 2027.   HOW TO BOOK TICKETS Fair entry: You can enter the waiting room anytime before 10 a.m. CT. Once the sale opens, everyone in the waiting room will be randomly assigned a place in line. Your spot in line: Once the sale opens, you’ll see your estimated wait time. If your wait time exceeds one hour, tickets will likely be unavailable by the time you reach the front. We will send a notification in the waiting room if current availability runs out. Real time availability: Museum tickets are sold on a timed-entry basis. Because popular times fill up fast, we recommend having a few alternative dates and times ready. Check out: You have 10 minutes to check out and secure up to nine tickets. Illinois Free Days: Illinois residents receive free general admission every Tuesday. Timed tickets are required. To book, select a Tuesday time slot, add Illinois Resident tickets to your cart, then input your Illinois Zip code at checkout. Buy Tickets     If you have more questions about Museum tickets, visit our FAQ page.   See FAQs CAMPUS EXPERIENCE TOUR If you’d like to take a closer look at the Obama Presidential Center, consider purchasing tickets for a 90 minute comprehensive tour of campus. Each ticket comes with complimentary access to the Museum, allowing you to “skip the line” and self-guide through the exhibits before or after your tour. Ticket prices range from $75 to $95 and more tickets will be available starting at 10 a.m. CT. Buy Tickets CAMPUS IS OPEN The Obama Presidential Center is more than a museum. You can visit any time to explore walking paths, gardens, world-class art, the Chicago Public Library branch, the cafe, and more! Explore Campus Contact Us    Privacy Policy    Subscriber Preferences    Unsubscribe You received this email at sulacostapautas@gmail.com because you subscribed to updates from the Obama Foundation. The Obama Presidential Center | 6001 S. Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL © 2026 Obama Foundation Happy International Day of the Girl! Over the years, I’ve had the chance to meet so many extraordinary girls from all around the world. And today, I’m thinking of the stories they shared, the smiles on their faces, and the resolve in their eyes to get their education, no matter the obstacles.  I've always believed that every girl holds a unique promise—a special way that she can change the lives of those around her. Maybe, someday, even the world. And that's why investing in girls isn't just the right thing to do. Its an investment in our shared future. The Girls Opportunity Alliance has been committed to that work for years: lifting up the grassroots leaders and groups that are helping girls around the world get the education they deserve.   Support the Girls Opportunity Alliance I’m excited to announce that we’ll be providing more than $1 million to 25 incredible grassroots organizations supporting girls in 15 different countries.  These organizations are providing scholarships in Kenya, reducing gender-based violence in Brazil, and teaching girls how to lead in countries like India and Sierra Leone.  Simply put, they’re changing the lives of so many young women—and building a better world for all of us. So on this Day of the Girl, I hope you’ll consider joining the Girls Opportunity Alliance in this important work.  You can get involved by donating what you can, lifting up their inspiring stories, and finding ways to get involved in your community.  Donate Now That’s how we turn hope into action.  -Michelle PREMIERES AT THE 50TH SÃO PAULO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AND REVEALS THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF THE TOM JOBIM YOUTH ORCHESTRA Documentary directed by Elisa Bracher and produced by Ana Cláudia Streva of Nós Filmes follows the training process of young musicians and the encounter between concert music and Brazilian music. The documentary “Rehearsing Brazil” will premiere at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival on October 16 at Cine Belas Artes, in São Paulo. Directed by Elisa Bracher, with co-direction by Gustavo Ribeiro, the feature film is produced by Ana Cláudia Streva, of Nós Filmes, and Elisa Bracher. The film goes behind the scenes of the Tom Jobim Youth Orchestra and explores the encounter between concert music and different traditions of Brazilian music. Another screening will take place on October 18 (Sunday), at 5:15 p.m., at Cine Tutu – Vila Madalena. The film follows a new generation of musicians undergoing artistic training, revealing, through rehearsals, performances, and creative moments, how the experience of playing in an orchestra goes beyond technical skills and becomes a space for coexistence, exchange, and collective creation. The orchestra is led by conductors Nelson Ayres and Tiago Costa and features artists such as Guinga, Mônica Salmaso, Ricardo Herz, and Italian musician Gabriele Mirabassi, who share their creative processes with the young instrumentalists. An Orchestra Dedicated to Brazilian Music The Tom Jobim Youth Orchestra is exclusively dedicated to Brazilian music. Through a selection process, it brings together young musicians from diverse backgrounds, many of whom come from the classical music tradition, and invites them to explore new forms of listening and interpretation through Brazilian repertoires, genres, and sounds. All arrangements are specially created for this educational and artistic development process, fostering dialogue between traditions while encouraging expression, creativity, and collective music-making. Different Brazils The presence of young people from different backgrounds and social classes makes the Tom Jobim Youth Orchestra a space for encounters and shared experiences. By approaching Brazilian music through the world of concert music, these musicians expand their references, develop new forms of musical perception, and collectively build their own musical experiences. More than simply performing a repertoire, the young musicians engage with the processes of writing, arranging, and interpretation that are part of the orchestral language. Along this journey, Brazilian music ceases to be merely a repertoire and becomes a field for investigation, creation, and identity. The name Tom Jobim carries an important symbolic dimension. One of Brazil’s most influential composers, Jobim transformed elements of Brazilian culture into a musical language recognized around the world. The film engages with the provocation expressed in “Querelas do Brasil,” by Aldir Blanc and Maurício Tapajós — “Brazil does not know Brazil” — to investigate how concert music can contribute to bringing different Brazilian experiences together so that they can meet, recognize one another, and be represented. “More than preserving a repertoire, the film proposes reflecting on what Brazilian concert music can be. We follow a generation that does not want merely to reproduce the past, but to reinvent our own sound,” says director Elisa Bracher. The direction by Elisa Bracher, alongside co-director Gustavo Ribeiro, focuses on the young musicians’ experiences and the collective creative process, documenting not only performances but also rehearsals, encounters, and the moments that take place before and after each performance. The production and executive production are by Ana Cláudia Streva, of Nós Filmes, an audiovisual production company with more than 20 years of experience. The company is responsible for projects such as “Missões de Vida,” produced for HBO and nominated for the Content Innovation Award, and “Zaatari, Memórias do Labirinto,” a co-production with Arte/ZDF, Globo Filmes, Globo News, and Canal Brasil. EVENT INFORMATION Film: “Rehearsing Brazil” Event: 50th São Paulo International Film Festival Premiere: October 16 (Friday) Venue: Cine Belas Artes Time: 8:30 p.m. Address: Rua da Consolação, 2423 – Consolação – São Paulo, SP, Brazil Additional Screening: October 18 (Sunday) Time: 5:15 p.m. Venue: Cine Tutu Address: Rua Girassol, 555 – Vila Madalena, São Paulo, SP, Brazil – 05433-001 Screening: October 26 Time: 6:00 p.m. Venue: Cinesystem Belas Artes Frei Caneca 4 Address: Rua Frei Caneca, 569 – Consolação / Bela Vista, São Paulo, SP, Brazil   Read Online → WEEKLY BRIEFING • OCTOBER 5–11, 2026 Lower Diesel Costs for Truckers and Farmers: President Trump Delivers Emergency Diesel Relief and Secures Millions of Tons of New Supply, Launches the Biggest American Shipyard Push Since World War II, Puts Manufacturing Back on the Map, and Honors Columbus Day On October 5, President Trump signed an Executive Order providing emergency tax relief on diesel fuel, temporarily allowing off-road “dyed” diesel for highway use and deferring the federal excise tax for the rest of the year — saving truckers over $100 per fill-up. The President then announced an agreement for Russia to supply millions of tons of diesel fuel to the American and global marketplace, on top of Europe’s release of 100 million barrels of refined diesel from its strategic reserves. On October 6 in Baltimore, President Trump and Anduril announced Arsenal-2 — the biggest new American shipyard push since World War II — at Sparrows Point, Maryland. The yard will create about 3,100 direct jobs and support more than 11,000 more, backed by $3.7 billion in private investment. The White House also showed how President Trump is putting American industry, jobs, and paychecks back on the map, from a $19 billion Becton Dickinson investment to American-made needles and steel. Explore the Manufacturing Investments Map. President Trump presented the National Medals of Science and National Medals of Technology and Innovation as his Administration announced the most ambitious set of science initiatives this century, and the White House marked a milestone for Trump Accounts, putting nearly 70 million American children on the path to financial freedom. Tomorrow, the nation celebrates Columbus Day. Read the President’s proclamation and explore the White House’s Columbus Day page. And the investment keeps coming: $31.3 billion in new commitments this week, led by Becton Dickinson, Google and Constellation Energy, and Anduril. $100+SAVED PER DIESEL FILL-UP FOR TRUCKERS 100MBARRELS OF DIESEL RELEASED BY EUROPE 3,100DIRECT JOBS AT AMERICA’S NEW SHIPYARD $31.3BNEW INVESTMENT THIS WEEK WEEK IN REVIEW Emergency Diesel Relief for Truckers and Farmers. President Trump signed an Executive Order to temporarily allow off-road “dyed” diesel for highway use and to defer the federal excise tax for the rest of the year, without interest or penalties — saving truckers over $100 per refill. The Order directs the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure farmers’ access to dyed diesel in high-demand areas and directs the Secretary of Transportation to coordinate with States, industry, and labor on access. Millions of Tons of New Diesel Supply. President Trump announced an agreement for Russia to supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, 500,000 tons in November, and 1,000,000 tons thereafter, with 3,000,000 more tons to follow. Combined with Europe’s release of 100 million barrels of refined diesel from its strategic reserves, the added supply is aimed squarely at bringing prices down. The Biggest American Shipyard Push Since World War II. At Sparrows Point in Baltimore, President Trump and Anduril announced Arsenal-2, a new shipyard that will produce critical Virginia-class submarine components and autonomous vessels. The project will create about 3,100 direct jobs and support more than 11,000 indirect jobs, with $3.7 billion in private investment and up to $2.9 billion from the Navy. American Manufacturing Is Back on the Map. Senior Counselor Peter Navarro briefed reporters on the state of American manufacturing as the White House highlighted a run of new commitments: Becton Dickinson’s $19 billion investment to make 100% of the needles it sells in America with American-made steel, AstraZeneca’s $1 billion expansion in Massachusetts, and a South Korean energy package of up to $200 billion. See every project on the Manufacturing Investments Map. A New Golden Age of Science — and a Head Start for America’s Kids. President Trump presented the National Medals of Science and National Medals of Technology and Innovation, and his Administration announced the most ambitious set of science initiatives this century. The White House also highlighted how Trump Accounts are giving nearly 70 million American children a financial stake in the future. Sail On: Honoring Columbus Day. President Trump proclaimed Columbus Day, 2026, which the nation celebrates tomorrow, Monday, October 12. Read the proclamation and visit the White House’s Columbus Day page. The President also proclaimed National Energy Dominance Month, recognized Leif Erikson Day, German American Day, Fire Prevention Week, and Child Health Day, and signed H.R. 5345, S. 766, and S. 195 into law. FROM THE WHITE HOUSE FACT SHEET: PRESIDENT TRUMP PROMOTES DIESEL AFFORDABILITY Read the Fact Sheet → EMERGENCY TAX RELIEF ON DIESEL FUEL Read the Executive Order → WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: PRESIDENT TRUMP DELIVERS IMMEDIATE DIESEL RELIEF, SAVING AMERICANS UP TO $100 PER FILL Read the Release → PRESIDENT TRUMP IS PUTTING AMERICAN INDUSTRY, JOBS, AND PAYCHECKS BACK ON THE MAP Read the Release → THE STATE OF AMERICAN MANUFACTURING Read the Report → FACT SHEET: TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES THE MOST AMBITIOUS SET OF SCIENCE INITIATIVES THIS CENTURY Read the Fact Sheet → TRUMP ACCOUNTS PUT 70 MILLION KIDS ON THE PATH TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM Read the Release → COLUMBUS DAY, 2026 Read the Proclamation → NATIONAL ENERGY DOMINANCE MONTH, 2026 Read the Proclamation → THE TRUMP EFFECT Major Investment Announcements WEEK OF OCTOBER 5–11, 2026 Becton Dickinson · Nationwide $19B Google, Constellation Energy · IL, PA, NJ $4.3B Anduril · MD $3.7B Bayer · OH $2.2B Caterpillar · NC $1B Ultium Cells · TN $1B Coastal Machine & Supply · LA $25.5M Mayville Engineering Company · GA $25M THIS WEEK’S NEW INVESTMENTS $31.3B Total U.S. & Foreign Investments Since Day One $11.3 Trillion VIEW ALL INVESTMENTS → IN THE NEWS READTrump in Maryland Announces Construction of ‘Largest New Shipyard’ in U.S. READU.S. Coast Guard Recruits Largest Class in Nearly 40 Years, Beats Goals for Third Straight Year READTrump Administration Announces More Than $17 Million for New Mental Health Clinics, Mobile Crisis Teams, and Expanded Addiction Treatment in North Carolina READAugust’s Trade Deficit Tells Two Very Different Stories READVice President JD Vance Holds Press Conference on Fighting Visa Fraud READDems’ Latest Trump Attack Backfires as Frequent Critics Refuse to Play Along READWe’re Winning the War on Woke PHOTO OF THE WEEK BUILDING AMERICA — OCTOBER 6, 2026 President Trump Announces America’s Biggest New Shipyard Push President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks on defense manufacturing investments by Anduril Industries to build a submarine and autonomous vessel shipyard at Sparrows Point, Baltimore, Maryland, Tuesday, October 6, 2026. View the Gallery → NUMBER OF THE WEEK 4.8M+ Tons of new diesel fuel headed to the American and global marketplace under the agreement President Trump announced with Russia — part of his push to bring diesel prices down for truckers, farmers, and ranchers. @REALDONALDTRUMP “The Dumocrats, along with their partners in crime, the Fake News Media, are trying to create the false narrative that, Donald Trump is so “unpopular,” the Republicans are going to lose. Actually, it’s just the opposite. I’m so “popular,” that the Republicans are going to WIN, and that’s being proven by the Record Setting Rallies we’re doing (including the one in Tennessee where I’ll be in a short while — See you soon!). President DONALD J. TRUMP” VIEW ON TRUTH SOCIAL → THIS WEEK’S POLL President Trump took emergency action this week to lower diesel costs for truckers and farmers. Which of the President’s actions to lower costs matters most to you? ◯  Lower diesel and gas prices ◯  Lower prescription drug prices ◯  No tax on tips and overtime ◯  Bringing manufacturing jobs home ◯  All of the above CAST YOUR VOTE → REGISTER TO VOTE 2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS Make Your Voice Heard. Several states close voter registration this week, starting Tuesday, October 13. Take a minute to make sure you’re registered and ready. Election Day Nov. 3 Tuesday, 2026 Register or Check Your Registration → MOBILE APP Get the Official White House App App Store Google Play TEXT UPDATES Get Breaking News via Text Text NEWS to 45470 for real-time updates THE WHITE HOUSE WEEKLY BRIEFING Contact Us   ·   Book a Tour   ·   View in Browser