Story highlights A former gymnast is giving free ballet lessons to young girls in Rio de JaneiroThe classes give the girls a place of refuge in their violent favela(CNN) On a hilltop overlooking the sprawling Complexo de Alemão favela, girls fill an old basketball court in Rio de Janeiro. Wearing pink leotards, pink tights and pink shoes, they stand with their hands on their hips as they learn proper passé technique. Her program "Na Ponta dos Pes," or "On Tiptoe," is intended to provide young girls with a place of refuge while also teaching them the graceful art of ballet. Photographer Sebastian Gil MirandaIn 2010, the Brazilian government launched a military operation to clear the favela of drug traffickers. Following the deployment of troops, special police units were sent to Alemão as part of a "pacification" program designed to restore order.

Source: CNN August 17, 2016 01:07 UTC