- The Real Madrid Foundation inaugurates a Socio-Sports School in Commune 18 of Cali
- 150 girls and boys in vulnerable situations participate
- The project promotes values, emotional well-being and comprehensive support through sport.
- It is part of an international program that already impacts more than 40.000 minors in 90 countries.
Commune 18 of Cali It has traditionally been one of the city's most vulnerable areas, but now it is also the scene of a new opportunity. Recently, 150 boys and girls have the opportunity to grow in a safe and educational environment thanks to the new Socio-sports school promoted by the Real Madrid Foundation in partnership with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), the Concívica Foundation, and the Club Campestre de Cali Foundation.
This ambitious project goes far beyond simple physical exercise. Football serves here as a powerful educational tool, with the aim of instilling essential values such as discipline, respect, teamwork, and solidarity in a community where opportunities are often scarce and social challenges are constant.
An educational model that focuses on integration
La methodology of the Real Madrid Foundation applied in this school is not only based on sports practice, but also addresses multiple dimensions of human development. Comprehensive support includes values training, psychosocial support, nutritional guidance, and environmental awareness.. Thus, the minors not only train with the ball, but they also receive tools to cope with life off the court.
According to the project leaders, the presence of specially trained trainers-educators to guide participants is key to ensuring that values are transferred from theory to daily practice. Teaching tools such as 'White card' and 'Bracelets with more value' help reinforce these teachings during training and group activities.
The program's impact can be seen in how children and young people adopt positive behaviors and strengthen their self-esteem thanks to the methodology taught.
An international project with local impact
This new school in Cali is part of a international program with a presence in more than 90 countries, in which the Real Madrid Foundation benefits more than 40.000 minors at riskThe strategy, which has already been successfully implemented in other South American cities, has been adapted to incorporate migrant populations, people with disabilities, and children from different urban settings.
In the words of Mateo Figueroa, director of the Americas for the Real Madrid Foundation, the key to the program is using children's free time to promote a comprehensive education based on sports.The goal is for every child, regardless of their background, to receive the same opportunities and learn to live together with respect and tolerance.", says Figueroa.
For its part, the Cali Country Club Foundation has been working for more than two decades for the social and environmental development of Commune 18. Its director, Juliana Maya, highlights that this new international push confirms that "The young people of the community are important and deserve to have prestigious institutions look after them.«.
Stories of inspiration and overcoming
Among the school's beneficiaries, stories such as that of Salomé Franco, a young woman passionate about football who dreams of becoming a professional goalkeeper and defending the Real Madrid badge one day. Her fighting spirit and daily training demonstrate how sport can channel dreams and strengthen identities in difficult situations.
Another case is that of Santiago Torres, who at just 8 years old has already scored 35 goals playing on the hillside fields. For him, school is the place where he can develop his talent and continue growing as a person.
Families find a network of support and guidance in this setting, while local coaches receive specific training that allows them to replicate the methodology and values in other community settings.
The inauguration and the commitment of the allies
The launch of the Socio-sports School This project has been possible thanks to the coordination between international institutions and local organizations, which guarantees an approach that is both global and adapted to the realities of Comuna 18. The project director in Cali, John Fredy Hurtado, emphasizes the importance of the 16 months of support with sessions three times a week, ensuring that children and adolescents have access to the best growth opportunities.
Local trainers have been trained during intensive sessions to ensure that the Real Madrid Foundation's philosophy remains intact and adapts to the needs of each environment. Professor Humberto Vera, from the Club Campestre de Cali, considers it a privilege to have incorporated this methodology, as it promotes a atmosphere of respect and teamwork both on and off the court.
The arrival of this project in Cali is also part of a regional strategy that includes the implementation of schools in other cities like Barranquilla and countries like Bolivia, expanding the reach and impact of the social-sports model.
A ball that opens doors to another future
This project represents a real opportunity to transform lives through sport, promoting a comprehensive development and social inclusionThe testimonies of the children and young people who benefited from these initiatives reflect how they build trust and promote equal opportunities in vulnerable communities.
