A story of love - Goodbye, Marcelo Yuka

"My dearest friend, inspiration, mentor, Marcelo Yuka, the Brazilian activist, lyricist, producer, writer, painter, performing artist, left this life last Friday night (18 January 2019). He concentrated his efforts for decades on understanding and searching for the link between life purpose, life journey, and human connections, and he knew that everything fuses into a simple concept: love.

Far from being a fluffy concept, love offers the most complex platform where you can gain insights into your power, your capacity to make decisions that influence and change people’s worlds.

“Love is a type of intelligence that can’t be confined solely to a form of relationship among family members or significant people, but rather, it’s a way to see the world. It’s the greatest of all human potentials. It’s a traditional wisdom and at the same time, it’s the most modern one,” Marcelo said.

All my focus since 2000, when I first met Marcelo, has been about amplifying single acts of generosity, as well as demonstrating the ripple effect a strong group of women can have on the communities they are supporting. What is more powerful than replicated, inspiring love?

Our connection from 2000 until his last breath in January, has been a connection of dreams, maturity, fears, expectations, successes, pains, intimacy, exchanges and crazy hopes.

Being wheelchair bound didn't prevent Marcelo to drive many citizenship movements, mixed with the artistic expression he knew so well how to drive. He got on with it all, where a few others would have given up.

A few years back, I had supported Marcelo and his team in capturing the essential values and behaviours that underpinned their work. We found out this work of Love was supported by determination, generosity and creativity.

Inspired by his life-long efforts to make life for people better, I am determined to continue the work and grow this economy of love and connectedness.

Thank you, my dearest, for the impact you've had on our lives. For your personal love and support, and for letting me love you back.

Servane Mouazan