Jaider (18) and Juan Carlos (19) found in “Vení Jugá”, a safe space where they can have fun, make new friends, contribute to their physical and mental well-being and develop values such as companionship and discipline. 

Jaider

“When I was a child, my family and I lived in the community of Antadó La Punta and moved to the city of Quibdó. In 2020, we were once again forced to leave our home and we moved to a new neighborhood, El Obrero. 

Until 2020 I participated in many neighborhood tournaments. In 2019, I also participated in a sports training programme in Ibagué, Tolima. However, the pandemic did not allow me to continue.

Through my photos I would like to show participants of the Venì Jugá programme, but also, I intended to demonstrate the strong unity that has emerged between peers and how we use dialogue as a fundamental tool. 

For us, soccer is important because it helps us keep our minds busy and gives us the opportunity to laugh, interact and meet other people, as well as to develop our abilities as human beings. It is a way to distract myself, it allows me to clear my mind and consolidate friendships.”

Juan Carlos

“My photos project friendship and the opportunity to recreate and take advantage of free time in the midst of the pandemic. Football is a good use of free time. We do not need to know the lives and particular situations of our peers. We meet to play. 

I come from a family that have been touched by the internal armed conflict in Colombia. In 2006 we moved from Muguidó to Quibdó due to the armed conflict.

I wanted to be a professional soccer player, but I am studying telecommunications engineering and what I most want is to finish my degree.

Soccer is important, because it takes me off the streets. I take advantage of my free time being on the pitch and interacting with others. AJODENIU taught me respect for others and share experiences with my peers.”

Historically, the department of Chocó has been strongly affected by the armed conflict, and today it continues to be a territory in confrontation with a disproportionate impact on the ethnic peoples that lives there, mainly afro-descendant communities and indigenous peoples.

Now more than ever, in Chocó it is necessary to continue strengthening sports processes such as AJODENIU, which are an alternative for young people to have a safe place to grow and work for peace from the courts.