Ali Del Valle Carrillo Peinado (30) was born in Maturín, the capital of Monagas state in Venezuela, where he was in the last semester of the undergraduate course in Physical Education and worked as a musician. He plays Vallenato, a traditional Colombian folk rhythm to which he adds the sound of cavaquinho (a small guitar-like instrument). With the earning from his music he was able to maintain his family, as well as afford the college fees. However, with the worsening economic crisis in his country, it became no longer possible to live from his art and he ended up having to abandon his studies and look for new sources of income.

 

The decision to come to Brazil was not an easy one. With no prospect of employment, having three young children and a mother to look after, he had no doubt: it was necessary to leave Venezuela. His wife came first with their two youngest children. A few months later, Ali came to Brazil with his eldest son.