Rio prodigy Adriano Álvaro Melo living in shelter

Adriano Álvaro Melo, a 10-year-old boy recognized for his high abilities, is currently living in a public shelter in the Grajaú neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro with his mother, Priscila Melo. Originally from Complexo da Maré, Adriano gained recognition for developing the game ‘Super Alvinho’ after completing an online programming course from Harvard University. He has also excelled in chess competitions and robotics at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), and in December 2024, he became the youngest recipient of the Pedro Ernesto Medal.

The family's situation deteriorated due to severe health and financial challenges. Priscila Melo was diagnosed with drug-resistant tuberculosis in October 2024, necessitating treatment at Fiocruz. Their instability was further compounded by a real estate scam that resulted in the loss of their apartment in Itaboraí. After unsuccessful attempts to find work in Cabo Frio, the family moved to the Maria Tereza Vieira Social Reinsertion Unit. Currently, their income relies on Bolsa Família and food assistance for tuberculosis patients. Despite these hardships, Adriano maintains his ambition to study in Europe and become a robotics engineer.