A lucky group of children from Rio's favelas have have been able to attend an Olympic event, something beyond the means of most of the city's inhabitants.
The Caminhos language school raised money for the students and parents to attend an Olympic Rugby sevens match.
Ten-year-old Julia from the Cantagalo community never thought she would see inside an Olympic venue.
"I didn't imagine I'd be this lucky," she told SBS News.
Tickets are priced at a level that puts them out of reach for many Brazilians, the event earning the nickname the Games of exclusion.
Manager of the Mais Caminhos program at the language centre, Nadine Leptich, said the kids had been reluctant to get excited about their home Olympics.
The colourful Caminhos language school. Source: SBS News
"They didn't seem really excited about it because they can't really go there, it wasn't part of their reality," she told SBS News.
In going to an event the children got to do what most in favelas would not, and 10-year-old Sophia said she could hardly believe it.
"I'm very happy, it's super cool because I got a ticket so I'm very happy," she said.
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The children finally became part of the event that's shut down large swathes of the city and sparked protests for months.
Julia's, Marcia Cristina Freitas said it was important for the children to feel included in the Olympics.
"Now for them it's not only for the person with money, I can see myself here, I exist, I'm part of this world," she told SBS News.
"This is the best day of my life, I will never have such a good day again," 11-year-old Julie said.
Caminhos language centre manager Bel Casson said the idea was simple - give the kids a once in a lifetime Olympic experience.
Ms Casson said it was nice to spoil the kids who get by with so little.
"The daily life for most of these kids is very basic yet they remain so happy, they're the happiest kids I've ever seen," she said.
Rafaela Silva was one of those kids.
Brazil’s first gold medallist of the Rio Games fought her way out of the favelas to Olympic judo glory.
Silva said she wasn’t always sure she’d make it.
"I never thought I would leave the community, or even go to the southern suburbs of Rio or Sao Paulo or another country, but I made the most of the opportunities that came my way," she said.
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