Enjoying Ourselves On The Pitch
Ana Karina Morales, Panama
In Panama, UNHCR works with partner Fútbol con Corazón (FCC) to promote the inclusion of refugee children and youth as well as to strengthen safe spaces through sports.
In 2019, aiming at reaching out to vulnerable children, FCC 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, a neighborhood where youth often find themselves exposed to drugs, violence and sexual abuse.
The FPLP Methodology turns football matches into an effective pedagogical experience by modifying conventional sports rules to guarantee the equal participation of boys and girls.
Los Angeles Soccer Club is made up of 65 children and adolescents from Panama, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Colombia and Costa Rica. The youth train in a community field administered by the Panamanian Red Cross and also provide first aid workshops and physical training.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?
My name is Ana Morales, I am 11 years old. I am from Venezuela and live in La Chorrera in Panama. I play soccer with Los Angeles Soccer. I started playing soccer here in Panama when I was seven, thanks to my dad who encouraged me. My dad was also my teacher since he is one of the Los Angeles Soccer coaches.
I left Venezuela because my parents went to Panama, and I came with them to start over. In Venezuela, I did not play soccer. I did not know what soccer was until I came to Panama and joined the Los Angeles Soccer club.
What did you try to show with the photos?
I wanted to show my teachers, my classmates, and me on the court of the Red Cross. I wanted to show that we all share and that Los Angeles Soccer gives us snacks. We play and enjoy ourselves on the pitch. I wanted to show how we play, warm up, and share.
My favourite photo is of my coach Liorka - she is young and has three children. She has a sister who is my friend. Her name is Claudia and she is very fun.
Why is soccer important to you and your community?
Soccer plays an important role in my life, as I have learned many things and have fun. I like soccer and it teaches me values. My ambitions are to study and keep learning.
Thanks to groups like Fútbol Con Corazón and the Red Cross, among others, there are opportunities for soccer. In Venezuela I think there is a lot of difficulty to improve as a footballer.
