Bayer 04 Brazil Tour – Moving visit to Jorginho's welfare organisation: ‘I'm a World Cup winner but this here is a much more beautiful trophy’

The drive to the Complexo do Muquico community, that incorporates eight favelas with a population of over 30,000, in northern Rio takes an hour. There is a massive difference between the fashionable, lively beach promenade and the social housing blocks, one of the longest in Latin America. Jorginho led Carro, Sergio and Co., together with his daughter Vanessa, through two of the eight favelas. The other areas are too dangerous to visit. Meetings with the residents and their unimaginable stories are as emotional as the meeting with some school students who will be guests in Leverkusen as part of an exchange in the autumn.

With all the prevailing problems in this community, Jorginho's comprehensive community organisation Instituto Bola pra Frente represents more than just a ray of hope for the children of the area. And Bayer 04 will contribute to the organisation in the future.

Bola pra frente not applies on the football pitch

Bola pra Frente is a civil society organisation that helps children, teenagers and their families in their personal development through sport, culture and education as well as through access to university projects to help them escape poverty. Bola pra frente – means in English ‘Play the ball up the pitch!' but also 'forget about it and keep looking forwards!

It's a phrase that encourages leaving something behind and focusing on what lies ahead. Always remain decisive and positive. There is no better way than this maxim, which is painted on the walls of the recreation ground big and colourful letters, to describe this special place, this small oasis in between all the troubles and problems.

Jorginho: much more beautiful than in my dreams as a child

This is the place where Jorginho grew up from the age of eight. Where his father and his sister died when he was only eleven years old. He stands in front of the entrance to block 19. Photos are not allowed there: "I used to clean the passageways to earn a bit of money. Then I was really scared of ghosts," said Jorginho grinning: "Back then I always used to look out of the window and dream that one day there would be a Disneyland down below. That was a dream, my dream. And today it's no longer a dream with Bola pra Frente. It's reality. And it's much more beautiful," said a clearly moved Jorginho speaking in fluent German.

A huge part of that comes from his time at Bayer 04 as the former Werkself player explained: "I learned a lot in Germany and above all in Leverkusen and I never thought I would be able to use it in my hometown. I'm a World Cup winner but this here is a much more beautiful trophy for me."

98 per cent of Muquiços youngsters part of project

At the entrance of the football ground is a statue in steel commemorating Jorginho's former coach and close friend Antonio Carlos da Silva Adao who died in 1977 on the multi-lane Avenida Brasil that goes directly over the favela – one of the most busiest roads in Brazil. Back then he looked after the football pitch which Jorginho set up the institute on and which he dedicates to his friend.

Most of the schoolchildren in the Deodoro neighbourhood live under this Avenida Brazil. "Sometimes cars come off the road and land on the tin roofs. And when it rains water and rubbish from the streets flow into the houses," explained his colleague Mineiro in the narrow ditches between rubbish and washing lines with black and red Flamengo jerseys.

En route a lot of children warmly welcomed Jorginho, Vanessa and Mineiro. Everyone here knows and loves her. Bola pra Frente currently looks after over 450 children. The project has already successfully helped 15,000 youngsters between the age of six and 17 and 98% of the Muquiços youngsters have left to start structured lives full of hope. Almost all of them find work. And those who cannot find work straightaway are supported by the institution with applications and in the search for a training place. Jorginho never gives up here either.

meeting with Samuel and Iidna really hits home

Behind all of these doors there is not just one house but also other unending street layouts. The visitors from Leverkusen were allowed to look into one. The home to school student Samuel and his mother. "He has recently been diagnosed with an incurable illness, which means he will soon be unable to walk or take part in our sports courses," explained Vanessa. "We have been able to get him a wheelchair and in future we will make him part of an alternative programme so he is still part of everything," added Jorginho's daughter in her positive manner.

A few metres away, it looks like Iidna is cooking for the whole favela. She is the only one in the favela with an oven. She takes the electricity for this from a cable running over her house. Most days there is a queue of people in front of her house who want to have their food warmed up. A matter of course for Iidna. In addition to her own child, she has adopted another three children who were sold by their parents a few houses away. That too is the reality in this neighbourhood marked by incredible poverty.

Those are stories that make this visit more than special. An event that goes beyond football. On the way back, Vanessa stressed that despite all the difficulty of the circumstances: "No doubt they are disturbing images but we also see a positive development here. A few years ago we didn't have any tarmacked roads. We are very proud of that."

sustainable exchange with Bayer 04

Back at the Institute, several youngsters are waiting for Jorginho, Carro and Sergio. They have a special highlight waiting for them in September: The youths, as with several teenagers last year, will travel to Leverkusen led by Jorginho and will also have the opportunity to watch a Werkself match.

All that is just the beginning of a sustainable partnership between Bola pra Frente and Bayer 04. Sergio: "Take it all in, use your chance to learn a new language and new culture. Germany opened lots of doors for me back then."

Carro: "Today's visit was very moving. As Bayer 04 we are proud and grateful for the impressions we have gained. The tireless work and commitment of Jorginho and his organisation are very valuable and show in an impressive way how much you can achieve even in an apparently hopeless environment.” Or, in the words of Jorginho: Bola pra Frente.