The champion in enumeration in Brazil did not have the idea of what is a Population Census until not long ago. It was only in 2020 that the Alagoas-born João Lucas, 21 years, knew about the selection process for enumerators and quickly saw a chance to raise money while he struggles for other dreams.

“I believe that life is a competition and it forces us to always be the best as possible. Nevertheless, I didn´t expect to perform as the most productive enumerator in Brazil, it was a surprise for me,” pointed him.

Lucas had already applied 2,479 questionnaires up to the end of this assessment. Living in the University City, in Maceió, he works for a long time in his own neighborhood and attributes his performance both to the receptivity of the population and to his expertise in dealing with the public, acquired in experiences as cashier and other odd jobs.

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“Even most people not knowing what the Census is or even what the IBGE is, I managed to provide security to the interviewees to complete the data collection. I think that it was due to the fact that I also live in a poor area, the well-known people like us,” told him laughing.

In the middle of the usual challenges of the enumeration, a different experience in relation to other enumerators arose: the mission to collect data in the Baldomero Cavalcanti Prison for Men, located in the region.

“I have always been curious about everything and, undoubtedly, the penal complex was something I would always like to know. When entering in the first prison to be enumerated, I will not lie, I was scary, accustomed to watch movies and soap operas that portrayed them in a completely different way. Yet, my contact with the prison was completely different: ostensive security, respect among inmates and employees and a fair organization made me change the perception about that place,” reported him. “What I have to say about this experience is that it was and has been one of the best experiences in my life and I undoubtedly owe it to the Census for providing unique moments like this.”