from La Libertad newspaper in Barranquilla, Colombia. With the support of Partners of the Americas and Liberty Insurance, Children International in Barranquilla will begin the “Let’s Win” Program. The program makes use of the impact of soccer and other team sports as an effective tool to support at-risk youth – particularly athletes – to help them develop values and basic skills, prepare them for work and foment a new generation of youth who will actively participate in the country’s progress.
The pilot program begins with 20 sponsored youth from Children International.
“Let’s Win” molds the youth population through integral labor training based on soccer skills and
|
 |
| Group of youth who make up the A Ganar program
|
imparting practical, interpersonal and technical skills.
This program has as its goal to develop leadership abilities and a self-starter attitude in the participants which will increase their chances of finding work and earning an income. The program also creates innovative and interactive professional training for at-risk youth. The training includes values like teamwork, emphasis on results, self-realization, communication, respect and discipline.
This innovative program resulted from a conversation between soccer star Pele and the staff of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), who discussed the potential for soccer to be an instrument for development. The IDB, along with the international volunteer organization Partners of the Americas, designed the program’s technical specifications, thereby making said organization the international entity in charge which has received the joint financial support of the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF).
The rest of the funds come from local or international donors, including the private and public sectors, foundations, organizations and self-management.
“Let’s Win” functions in Brazil, Uruguay and Ecuador where Partners of the Americas heads the program with the support of various local organizations. We hope to continue expanding new phases with the local support of Indeportes, an entity that leads sports in the Department.
About Children International:
Established in 1936, Children International is a nonprofit organization with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. Children International’s programs benefit over 325,000 poor children and their families in 11 countries around the world, including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Zambia and the United States. If you would like to sponsor a youth, visit www.children.org today.
Do you like this story?
Forward to a friend | Link to Us
|