HELP ALAN MAKE HIS BOXING PROJECT FOR FAVELA KIDS A REALITY
Journalists have to know how to remain impartial, to offer their readers the most accurate picture of the reality. But sometimes, some encounters are so poweful tha they make you want to go further and to be more than just an impartial witness.
Last June, I went on a reporting assignment to Rio de Janeiro for a French newspaper, L'Express. The situation in the city's favelas is seriously deteriorating : police failed in its pacification role and gangs are at war to get control back over favelas. With Morgann Jezequel, journalist in Rio, and Rafael, photographer, we tried to report this reality in the days before the Olympic Games (paper published here).
During this assignment, we met a remarkable person: Alan Duarte. Over two days, this 28-year-old Brazilian took us to where he lives, in Complexo do Alemão. He has lived his entire life in this 12 favelas complex, in Rio de Janeiro. Complexo do Alemão has a population of 400 000 inhabitants, and suffers from frequent bouts of police violence and drug trafficking.
Alan is a survivor. He has lost 9 relatives, including his brother, to gun shoot-outs. He could, like others young inhabitants of his favela, have become a drug trafficker. But he managed to escape violence. At 17, he began taking boxing classes at a British NGO, « Fight for peace », in another community. Today, he is a trainer there.
In 2014, Alan decided to create his own boxing social project, called Abraço Campeão, Portuguese for Champion Hug. His passion is to offer the at-risk youngsters of Complexo do Alemão the same opportunities that he had when he was young. Leisure activities and sports programs are not common in communities which experience this violence. In « Alemão », shoot-outs are almost a daily occurrence.
To help sway Alemão's youngsters from the influence of drug trafficking and violent confrontations with police, Alan proposes that they put on their boxing gloves three times a week in the evenings at his one-room gym or the football field.
On other nights, his students sit down in a circle for classes on citizenship. They discuss topics such as racism, discriminations, sexuality, women rights, etc. Together, Alan believes they can achieve self-confidence and raise their perspectives.
Since Alan created his boxing project, more than 20 young people joined his classes. Several of them began to compete in boxing tournaments in other neighborhoods of Rio.
The problem is that Alan has very little boxing gear and materials. The nearby NGO has donated used gear such as gloves, bowing bags, and jumping ropes. He fixes them up as best as he can so that students can use them, but the project reaches its limits as more young people continue to join.
Alan wants to offer his students high quality equipment that will allow them to train in better conditions. Seeing Alan's enthusiasm and dedication, my colleagues and I decided to help him. Our aim is simple : to raise enough funds to allow him to offer his pupils appropriate materials.
Alan needs 3800€ (3400£). 3800€ is not much and a lot, at the same time. For example, in Brazil, a good quality and foreign-made pair of gloves, which can be used for years, usually costs 70€ (63£). And it is an invaluable present for these young pupils.
To help Alan, we chose a flexible solution : online fundraising. With total transparency. At the end of the fundraising period, we will go with Alan to buy the materials and then we will film the moment when he gives it to his pupils, before sharing it with you, online. It will be our way to guarantee you that 100 % of the funds will be used.
We won't be able to exempt your donation from tax. But we will keep you informed of each step of Alan's project. Moreover, for those who give 25€ or more, you will receive a beautiful photo of your choice from Rafael Fabres photos' gallery (you can choose it here). It will be sent by mail as high resolution picture to develop. To receive it, when doing your donation, please write your full name, your email adress and we will contact you.
Charles Haquet, journalist at L'Express, Morgan Jezequel, journalist in Rio de Janeiro and Rafael Fabres, photojournalist
Don't wait and help Alan : donate here !