The Gym in Cape Verdean Paradise Built From Rubbish by Alcindo (Watch the Video)

In the CNN’s Great Big Story Alcindo Soares says that he grew up in Cape Verde, dreaming of the day when he would become a professional athlete. Because – like many other Cape Verdeans – he had no money to go to an indoor gym, Alcindo improvised, using garbage washed up on the shores of Sal Island to build his exercise equipment. With his background in construction, he was able to assemble the outdoor gym with ease. Thanks to his astonishing work, many people can now enjoy training for free in one of the island’s most beautiful places – on the sandy beach, just a few steps from the ocean, with a chill breeze and sun over their heads.

“The fact that a gym like this exists in Santa Maria not only for me, but for the people here, is very important.”

Alcindo says.

One person’s rubbish became another person’s dream come true, and what was once a pile of waste is now a fully functional outdoor exercise centre.

Alcindo – Tud Dret

In this beautiful, short documentary (just 4 minutes) created for Great Big Story by Roger Serrasqueiro, a director from Garage Films Lisbon, Alcindo tells the story of building his gym. You can watch it here.

Work is not finished

The gym looks impressive already, but Soares says he’s still not done with it.

“My dream is just to try and make the gym just a bit better. For as long as I live, I’ll continue to use it. Train, then go swim in the ocean, and the day is complete.”

Great Big Story was originally launched in 2015 by CNN and won critical acclaim and countless awards before closing down in 2020. The brand is now part of Whynow Media, a company devoted to the art of storytelling. Headquartered in London and working with teams around the world, our studios create and distribute micro docs and short films, as well as series. Our producers work hard to discover the untold, the overlooked and the flat-out amazing.

Bibliography

• Alcindo – tud dret by Roger Serrasqueiro, Garage Films Lisbon, on Vimeo;
• This Man Turned Beach Garbage Into a Full-Fledged Gym by Korin Miller on Men’s Health.
• Great Big Story YouTube channel.
• Photos from 2023 – personal collection.