Marcelo Modesto is using golf to transform the lives of children in Cidade de Deus, a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Marcelo Modesto is using golf to transform the lives of children in Cidade de Deus, a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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The favela was immortalized in the 2002 film bearing its English name, "City of God." Life there is still dangerous, with police and gangs wrestling for control. Pictured, security forces on patrol in 2018.
The favela was immortalized in the 2002 film bearing its English name, "City of God." Life there is still dangerous, with police and gangs wrestling for control. Pictured, security forces on patrol in 2018.
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From a small patch of grass, Modesto, a former caddie, teaches golf to 20 to 30 local children.
From a small patch of grass, Modesto, a former caddie, teaches golf to 20 to 30 local children.
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The golf academy provides opportunities for children on and off the course. "Marcelo told me to put my name down, my mum signed, and everything changed in my life," says 11-year-old David Loreno Marcelo Moreno.
The golf academy provides opportunities for children on and off the course. "Marcelo told me to put my name down, my mum signed, and everything changed in my life," says 11-year-old David Loreno Marcelo Moreno.
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"It's changed my life a lot," says 11-year-old Alexandre Gomes Goncalves. "I had nothing to do, now I do."
"It's changed my life a lot," says 11-year-old Alexandre Gomes Goncalves. "I had nothing to do, now I do."
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The golf academy is welcomed by worried parents, as it keeps children off the streets. "People respect this space here," says Tiago Albuquerque, a retired English teacher who provides English lessons to Modesto's pupils.
The golf academy is welcomed by worried parents, as it keeps children off the streets. "People respect this space here," says Tiago Albuquerque, a retired English teacher who provides English lessons to Modesto's pupils.
Cameron Bauer/CNN
"I'm sure that in the future, maybe five, 10 years from now, we will really have champions," Modesto says. "Regardless of whether they are great golfers, they can be great doctors, great lawyers, great coaches, great businessmen."
"I'm sure that in the future, maybe five, 10 years from now, we will really have champions," Modesto says. "Regardless of whether they are great golfers, they can be great doctors, great lawyers, great coaches, great businessmen."
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