Favela Surf Club aids poor children in Rio though surfing

Americas Now

In Rio de Janeiro, one man is working to keep children off the streets by getting them involved in sports or other extracurricular activities.

Favela Surf Club aids poor children in Rio though surfing

In Rio de Janeiro, one man is working to keep children off the streets by getting them involved in sports or other extracurricular activities.

Alexandre Carvalho is providing under-privileged kids a chance at success by taking advantage of one of Rio’s best natural attractions, the beaches. Carvalho is the founder of the Favela Surf Club, a non-profit organization that offers children growing up in Rio’s poorest areas an active outlet for their energies and keeps them interested in school.

He teaches them how to surf on famed Ipanema and Copacabana beaches.

In order to participate in the free surfing lessons, the children involved must get good grades in school. Carvalho also shows them how to make and repair surfboards and teaches them how surfing can be a metaphor for life. He says that the goal of the club is to make upstanding citizens and excellent athletes.

Travel with Americas Now to the beautiful beaches of Rio de Janeiro and meet Game Changer Alexandre Carvalho who is helping keep children off the streets by catching waves.