China's State Grid donates 2.1 million Brazilian Real to preserve archeological site in Rio

On Sept 17, 2019, the Chinese State Grid made a 2.1 million Brazillian real (1.9 million dollars) donation to preserve the Valongo Wharf, an archeological site of outstanding historical importance in Rio.

Located in central Rio, the Valongo Wharf marks the point through which enslaved African people arrived in Brazil during the 19th century.

The remains of the site were found during the renovation of the port area during Rio's preparation to host the 2016 Olympic Games. This donation from the Chinese State Grid was used to fund the second phase of the Valongo Wharf project.

The State Grid's branch in Brazil used the funds to install lighting equipment and signals around the area and to initiate a series of education activities to publicize the history and need for protection of the site to people living in affected areas and others in the city, and the donation will be used to continue the revitalization of the historical wharf and transform it into an open-air museum with lights, signage and surveillance cameras.

The Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN) in Brazil has also been involved in the implementation of the project.