I thought that being feisty and getting angry
would make people respect me.
So, I was always very explosive.
I would defend myself by being aggressive.
I behaved badly at school,
as I was involved with illegal drugs.
I didn't behave very well at home.
Many of the favelas in Rio de Janeiro have suffered decades of drug related violence.
The issue of violence is very present,
and we believe that one day all that will end.
Extreme poverty, abuse, and social exclusion are just some of the challenges faced by youth in the Favelas
I had a tough time at school, I was bullied.
I don't know if it was because of so-called beauty standards
or because I didn't fit into various social standards.
I was looking for status
and I needed something to defend myself
from those offences that I encountered in the street.
I was expelled from school after two and a bit years.
I was just hanging around doing nothing.
Then I heard about Fight For Peace.
Fight for Peace was founded in Complexo da Maré
It uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people affected by crime and violence.
Through sport, we keep the pupils here.
We focus on the personal development of each of them,
both within the sport and for them as people,
and as citizens as well.
Either I could go back to school and protect myself
or I would have to remain out of school
and be at the mercy of violence in the street.
it was when I arrived here at the project
that I got back into the academic world.
For me, Fight For Peace is like a second home,
which took me in and held my hand when I most needed it
and today helps me a lot.
I think that we should promote peace every day.
you feel the difference of being at peace,
of not having to wake up every day,
thinking about how to harm someone
or thinking that someone's going to harm you.
PEACE
The Olympics were a great gift for us.
There's the Olympic spirit,
which brings the idea of unity and strength
because sport can change a pupil's reality,
especially in a poor neighbourhood like Maré.
It's also generating hope
in young people in this neighbourhood;
also hope that it leaves a positive legacy
for the culture of sport, which is a wonderful art,
which can save lots of people and which, I believe,
deserves to be encouraged a bit more.
It's a way of inspiring people, looking at people
and seeing that it's worth the effort.
I see it as a huge victory for Rio de Janeiro and for Brazil.
Today, I consider myself a better person.
And I owe that to Fight For Peace.
TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD