Sir Paul McCartney took time out before hitting the stage in Rio de Janeiro last week to meet with two young music students from the Maré community. 

Paul and the boys Luis Felipe (13) and Lucas (15) jammed playing renditions of ‘Twist and Shout’ and Brazillian song ‘O Ovo’.  The former Beatle even taught them how to play the blues.  Thanking ActionAid for the musical and educational get-together, Paul said:    ‘We are all brothers in music. Keep the children off the streets and doing music.’

ActionAid supports the Redes project in the notorious shantytown which offers dance and music activities to poor children and adolescents as a way to stimulate their entire development, give them a sense of belonging and raise self-esteem. The kids get to enjoy breakdance, choir classes, orchestra practice, and percussion classes.