My journey through the Brazilian Northeast holds a special place in my heart. This is the story of Baite, born into an extremely impoverished family in the northern region of Alagoas, Brazil. From a young age, he inherited his father's tradition as a palm tree cleaner.

Every day, he rises very early and begins his walk to his first client. He explains to me that starting work early is crucial because the region's heat can be scorching. His clients are usually hotels or owners of large houses, and his goal is to remove all the coconuts from the palm trees as they pose a risk to people passing below. "If a coconut falls on your head from 15 meters high, it can be deadly!" Baite says with a laugh.

The homeowner where he works explained to me that he hired him because a coconut had fallen on one of his cars and dented the roof. When Baite tells me that he charges 2 reais for each palm tree he cleans, I was surprised. I couldn't believe that the property owners paid him so little for such a risky job, without safety equipment or life insurance, and certainly in the informal sector.

This injustice prompted me to inquire further, and I asked Baite why he charged so little money for each palm tree he cleaned. He explained that it was a fair deal because the property owners allowed him to take all the coconuts.

After a long and exhausting harvest day, his work didn't end there. In the evenings, he would go to local restaurants and sell the coconuts to owners who needed them to make coconut milk for their dishes. Although he barely earned enough to survive, Baite is known for his tenacity and dedication.

Despite the challenges and lack of security in his work, Baite has a clear goal in mind: to retire next year. He had worked tirelessly for decades, and his body was beginning to feel the weight of the years. He dreams of a peaceful retirement where he can enjoy the company of his family and watch his grandchildren grow up.