When I explained to Ascendinha that there would be no payment for her photo she remained dignified and poised. She wanted her story to be told - I made no promises but told her that I would try my best.
She had, through a series of misfortunes (that most people in Brasil would call 'life'), lost everything. Living in the bottom, back-end of this cathedral for twenty years was tough but she survived. Articulate and assured, she had a beautiful smile and offered me something to eat out of a paper bag. She said she was 92 years old.
