On May 11th, two innovators who are already affecting social change through football won our early entry prize: One of those entries is called Fútbol con Corazón. Colombia Fútbol Con Corazón is a grass-roots social change model that utilizes soccer's calling power to provide new life opportunities for 1,800 vulnerable boys and girls, aged 5-16, in Colombia's Caribbean coast, who live below the poverty line.
Here's their story
The cement on the perimeter of the playground was still fresh when children began streaming out of nearby dwellings. Word had gotten out that a swing-and-slide set was being installed at "the construction site," and the kids could wait no longer. Within minutes, youngsters of all ages and sizes surrounded the area, eager to test the new equipment. Workers had difficulty keeping them at bay, a rush of energy and euphoria overcoming the site. When the green light was given, no fewer than 60 children lined up for a turn at the modest slide and swings.
This telling scene is taking place days before the inauguration of the fifth program site of "Fútbol con Corazón." The Galapa project encompasses a regulation soccer field, a mini-field, a kiosk, the playground, and a building housing a kitchen, dining hall, classroom space, and bathrooms. Here, the 450 children enrolled in Fútbol con Corazon will participate in "soccer for peace" training and hands-on values workshops, and will eat balanced meals while learning proper nutrition habits. Their families will take advantage of periodic workshops, community-wide tournaments, health fairs, and counselling. Kids ages 5-16 will have a safe haven during their time away from school.
Yet now all that matters is the swing set, evidence that "Futbol con Corazon" augurs hope for the neighbourhood.
Carruajes is a barrio of nearly 2,000 in the municipality of Galapa, south of Barranquilla, Colombia. The youth population totals over 900. Carruajes has never had a playground, let alone a modern building. Many of its homes lack proper sewage systems and electricity. In short, progress has not yet come to this isolated corner of Galapa. Poverty, combined with the lack of mentors and excessive free time, creates a high-risk environment for the children.
Fútbol con Corazón sought to fill this void in structured extra-curricular programs by partnering with local business, the federal government, and municipal leadership to identify a site and obtain funding for the project. In addition, FCC teamed up with nutrition specialist Fundación Nutrir, a full partner in running the site. A "socialization" process ensured buy-in from local education and neighbourhood leadership.
On February 20th, Galapa came out to celebrate the opening of its very own site. Activities are fully underway. Thus, the hope to change the world, one goal at a time, has begun in Carruajes.
