UNHCR together with partner Fútbol con Corazón (FCC) promote the inclusion of refugee children and youth through sports and awareness-raising activities in school environments. These community-based activities occur in safe spaces and count with the support of public-private partnerships. In 2019, FCC has transferred its methodology Fútbol por la Paz (FPLP) to the Los Angeles Soccer Club, a community-based sports organization based in Barrio Colón in La Chorrera, West Panama. This soccer club engages with a young population often exposed to drugs, gang violence, and sexual exploitation and abuse.

Through the FPLP methodology football matches become an effective pedagogical tool by modifying conventional sports rules to guarantee the equal participation of boys and girls. In these spaces, the peaceful resolution of conflicts among team members is encouraged, and the practice of values is promoted, through positive reflection and self-evaluation. This group is made up of 65 children and adolescents from Panama, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Colombia and Costa Rica. The group practices in a community pitch administered by UNHCR partner the Panamanian Red Cross, who also provides first aid workshops and physical education.

Ana Morales, 11-year-old girl from Venezuela

 “I started playing football here in Panama when I was seven. It was my dad who encouraged me. I left Venezuela because my parents went to Panama, and I came with them to start over. I did not know anything about football until I arrived here and joined the Los Angeles Soccer Club.

I took photos of my teachers, my classmates, and of myself on the field. I wanted to show that we play and enjoy ourselves on the pitch. I wanted to showcase how we play, warm up, and enjoy the good company. My favorite photo is the one with my coach Liorka. She has a sister, Claudia, who is my friend. She is so fun!

Football plays an important role in my life. Thanks to it, I have learned many things and I enjoy it very much. It teaches me values. Now, my ambitions are to study and keep learning.”

Ysabella Quintero, 12-year-old girl from Venezuela

“I have played football since I was nine years old. Four years ago, I came to Panama with my mom and dad from Venezuela because of the insecurity and threats happening there. I did not play football before coming to Panama. I used to play the flute and was part of the music school choir. I would like to continue playing until I become a professional like the Venezuelan Deyna Castellano*. She is someone I admire a lot.

[In my pictures] I wanted to show my teammates from the Los Angeles Soccer Club during the practice. It was the first practice after the pandemic. In other photos, I am alone practicing at home because we were in quarantine, and we could not go out to play on the pitches. I wanted to show that we can always practice, no matter the circumstances or the place. In the pictures where we play, you can see the joy of all of us finally seeing each other, practicing football together and being able to share. We really needed that.

With Fútbol Con Corazón I learn to put values ​​into practice on the pitch. When I am playing, I feel that I release my energy and I am very excited to be able to play and train. Thanks to football I made new friends and challenged myself to improve and practice. I now see the teachings in my failures, but also in my victories.”

*Deyna Cristina Castellanos Naujenis is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Women’s Super League club Manchester City and the Venezuela women’s national team.