Indigenous Student Walks 8km Daily, Earns Top Spot in Medical School

Janilson Silva dos Anjos, a 29-year-old indigenous man from the Sateré-Mawé ethnicity, has gained widespread attention on social media for documenting his study routine in the Amazon. In 2025, he achieved first place in the medical program at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) in Altamira, located in southwestern Pará. His journey began in the Aninga community in Boa Vista do Ramos, Amazonas, where he faced significant challenges, including walking approximately 8 km daily to reach school. Educational materials were scarce, often forcing him to rely on donations from teachers. His family sustained themselves through family agriculture and fishing, with Janilson contributing by selling produce to afford school supplies. The lack of healthcare access in his community deeply impacted him, witnessing malaria and dengue outbreaks and the loss of lives, including his brother to malaria. This personal tragedy fueled his desire to pursue medicine. At 15, his family moved to Boa Vista do Ramos, allowing him to focus more on his studies. Lacking funds for preparatory courses and internet access at home, he studied independently for several hours each night, continuing to help his family with sales. Witnessing his uncle's struggle with cancer and the difficulties faced by rural populations in accessing medical care solidified his ambition to become a doctor. After six years of persistent effort, facing financial hardship, anxiety, and depression, Janilson finally achieved his goal. He initially believed he had failed the UFPA entrance exam but was later shocked to discover he had secured first place in the special selection process for indigenous students. Janilson moved to Altamira for his studies, initially with minimal belongings and facing financial setbacks due to a family emergency. He received support from friends and online followers to cover his travel expenses. Now in his second year, he balances his medical studies with caring for his mother, who has diabetes and hypertension, and managing household responsibilities in a small rented space. His social media presence, where he shares his experiences, has garnered over 260,000 followers, inspiring many to pursue their educational goals. Janilson aspires to become a humanist doctor, providing healthcare to isolated communities and developing projects to improve medical access for traditional populations and low-income individuals in the Amazon, emphasizing education's transformative power.