The viral volleyball priest from São Paulo, Brazil – View photos

At 47 years old, Gean Medeiros has dedicated his beingness to some God and volleyball, proving that sports tin beryllium a almighty instrumentality for improving the prime of beingness for definite societal groups.

In summation to his priestly duties, Medeiros leads a volleyball programme that helps thousands of young radical and seniors successful the Vala Velha vicinity of São Paulo, Brazil.

Vala Velha is an underprivileged country afloat of societal contrasts — the spot wherever Medeiros grew up. At the property of 12, helium discovered and fell successful emotion with volleyball, yet gaining designation among immoderate of the city’s apical teams.

Although helium chose to dedicate himself to religion alternatively than prosecute a nonrecreational volleyball career, his emotion for the athletics ne'er faded — and implicit time, helium recovered a mode to harvester the 2 passions.

While his main ngo remains his religion work, Medeiros founded the Piano Piano Volleyball School, wherever astir 200 young radical from the country bid regularly. Since 2016, the schoolhouse has offered young participants not lone the accidental to make their diversion skills but besides to turn personally and socially.

“Volleyball gave maine truthful much, and I wanted to springiness backmost to my community,” helium said successful a caller interview, besides discussing different task — a fittingness programme for the aged that has already benefited implicit 400 elder citizens.

Even much impressive, Medeiros continues to beryllium an progressive volleyball player, competing with the men’s volleyball squad of São Paulo — the volleyball subdivision of the city’s celebrated shot club. He participates successful each signifier (even wearing his priestly robes) and each match.