There is no running water, hardly any electricity and the people live in shacks. Although the school offers lessons, few of the boys and girls, that the Morales encountered on the tour through the district with Daiane’s cousin Anderson Couthino, attend. Alcohol and drugs are a serious problem.

Morales is familiar with the integrative power of sport. During his stay, he co-founded the Instituto Juventude Criativa Youth Recreation Centre with the cousin. In addition to music and dance, the centre offers boxing training. He bought gloves and sandbags and engaged a coach. Every child, every young person is welcome, but only if they also attend school. Before training starts, the children complete their homework and are given English lessons. Around 400 children visit regularly.

The first successes were becoming apparent, but the economic crisis in Brazil intensified. The local school closed in 2017, because the state could no longer pay teachers’ salaries. Local supporters of the project abandoned ship as they found themselves in financial difficulties. At the beginning of 2018, the centre was on its last legs, so Morales submitted his project proposal to help alliance and received approval.

“I’m just happy that we can continue to provide this support and even expand what we have to offer,” says Morales. The funds will be used to renovate the centre and to hire trainers and English teachers. “And we want to create the necessary structures, so that the project can sustain itself from 2021,” Morales explains.