Reaching the top of the hill in Guabal, Ciudad Bolivar
It is very difficult to put into words the mixture of emotions I felt at the top of the hill in a small village in rural Bogota last week. As we ascended through the favelas, I was struck by the abject poverty but also the sheer beauty of the community - like no other I had ever seen before. Beautifully decorated huts littered the hillside, with an amalgamation of colours that reflected the pride and artistry of the residents. When we finally reached the top of the hill, the road opened into a plateau of would-be swamp terrain – had it not been for the two brand new artificial football and basketball courts that now stood there…
All that attended the inauguration of ESPN’s new multifunctional sports court on April 12 were overwhelmed with a sense of excitement and achievement as the ribbon was cut and the new pitches opened to the eagerly awaiting children. This was thinkBeyond’s 6th project with ESPN and love.futbol but the first that I had been deeply involved with, and actually travelled out to the site. Having only heard stories of and seen pictures of previous inaugurations, I was overcome by the actual hands-on experience of it. The sheer number of people, equipment and effort dedicated to this project can only be realised in the flesh, and all of it culminating on an event day filled with true Latin American style celebrations was unforgettable.
Local residents joined event organisers, ESPN talent, football stars, volunteers who had built the pitch, and the many others who were now making a commitment to sustaining the project and supporting some of the country’s most marginalised youth for the years to come. Programming from A Ganar and Colombianitos will ensure that not only is this new safe space used for play, but also for education and job-skills training. They will ensure that this community learn about important life skills, find internships, and practice in local businesses, so that it becomes easier for them to become employed in the future.
The excitement and elation of the children was best reflected in the cultural performances of volunteers from Fundacion Nueva Vida. They treated the spectators to traditional Colombian dance and singing, and out-performed the ESPN talent that were hosting the event. Local leaders thanked ESPN and the organisers who had constructed the pitch, with hand-made gifts and emotional words of praise. I was lucky enough to take part in a mini-football tournament with the coaches and young boys and girls of the community, which I am told went on for several days. It was utterly inspiring to see how much this new facility meant to them, and with it the new opportunities it would bring…
Blog by Freddie Eastwell, Beyond Sport, thinkBeyond