(ANS - Niterói) - Departure city: Niterói, Brazil. Destination: Madrid, Spain. The journey of ten boys, favela dwellers and members of the School project "Sports for Peace", promoted by "Misiones Salesianas" of Madrid, in collaboration with the Real Madrid Foundation, began last Thursday 15 October. Some of these young people had never even crossed the bridge separating Niterói from Rio de Janeiro. But as winners of the "Copa Ampla" they were rewarded with a trip to Madrid, where they can compete with young people from Chile, Colombia and with the youth team of Real Madrid.

"This is one of the biggest dreams of my life. I'm going crazy at the idea of ​​seeing Cristiano Ronaldo playing. I identify a lot with him, in his determination and hard work to achieve all that he sets out to do" said thirteen year-old Guilherme Ferreira before boarding the plane. Guilherme lives in the favela of Santa Rosa with his parents and two small brothers. "I have to be an example for my brothers and I am filled with pride at being chosen by the Salesian Youth Centre to join the team because of my behaviour and my efforts" he adds.

The glint in the eyes of Matheus Fernandes reflects the emotion of the moment. For him the journey means a lot. "It is the first time I have been in Rio de Janeiro, which is thirteen km from home. I never went out of Niterói, and now we have a ten-hour flight ahead of us. I never dreamed of flying, let alone playing football."

The programme of the boys in Madrid is full of cultural and recreational activities. On Saturday 18 October they attended the match between Real Madrid and Levante in the Bernabeu stadium. "The boys were crying with emotion as they entered the stadium. They have seen so much football on television, but had never had the opportunity to watch a game on the field. I was excited myself" said Elaine Holanda, a psychologist and director of the Salesian Youth Centre. 

"These boys are very talented, but also very unlucky. We try to give them, through education, the opportunity to realize their dreams. Today will be a day they will never forget."

"In addition to having exemplary behaviour," adds the director, "they are aware that they represent all their peers at the Salesians in Niterói, and they are not selfish. They know that their will is the key to ensure that, maybe next year, their younger companions can also realize a dream that, so far, seems unattainable".

This project marks a before and an after in the integration of the children of the Youth Centre with the students of the Salesian School. Previously, the children who attended the centre were considered as dwellers of the favelas and the parents of the pupils of the school did not want their children to mix with them.  Now, however, the whole school community has joined the Youth Centre, on the edge of the favela, to greet the boys as they were leaving and wish them good luck.

Published 21/10/2015