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Santa Claus delivers Christmas presents to a favela in Rio de Janerio Santa Claus delivers Christmas presents to a favela in Rio de Janerio
(2 days later)
Father Christmas has been delivering toys to children in Rio de Janeiro's slums.Father Christmas has been delivering toys to children in Rio de Janeiro's slums.
Leandro Wendell, dressed as Santa Claus, has been distributing toys to children in the city's Maré favela - home to around 130,000 people.Leandro Wendell, dressed as Santa Claus, has been distributing toys to children in the city's Maré favela - home to around 130,000 people.
Leandro is a member of a volunteer group of favela residents who collect donated toys to give to disadvantaged children.Leandro is a member of a volunteer group of favela residents who collect donated toys to give to disadvantaged children.
As Father Christmas, he was photographed delivering the presents on a heavily-laden bicycle, playing with children in the favela's narrow alleyways as well as on the beach.As Father Christmas, he was photographed delivering the presents on a heavily-laden bicycle, playing with children in the favela's narrow alleyways as well as on the beach.
Prior to the 2014 Rio World Cup, Maré was occupied by 1,300 Brazilian police officers and marines in an attempt to neutralise gang presence during the competition, the BBC reported.Prior to the 2014 Rio World Cup, Maré was occupied by 1,300 Brazilian police officers and marines in an attempt to neutralise gang presence during the competition, the BBC reported.
Leandro Wendell dos Santos, 14, wearing a Santa Claus costume, plays with kids as he walks along the alley of the Mare slums complex to distribute presents to children in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Leandro is part of a volunteer group of residents of Mare slums complex that distributes donated toys to children of the community.