Salesians collaborate with Real Madrid Foundation

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries operate the Don Bosco Socio-Sports School in Lungi, Sierra Leone, thanks to support from the Real Madrid Foundation and the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid. Through soccer, basketball and volleyball, youth, ages 5-17, are learning values and healthy hygiene and habits while improving their school performance.

Both the Real Madrid Foundation and Salesians are aware that sports are important for social integration and the promotion of values like teamwork, communication, respect and team spirit. As part of the Real Madrid Foundation’s “They play, we educate” program, participants receive nutrition, family and psychological support, regular health checkups, the opportunity to participate in social and educational workshops, gymnastics, crafts, reading, and citizenship activities. Training sessions on topics such as health, hygiene, values, and the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse are also provided.

The Don Bosco School has four soccer teams, two basketball teams and three volleyball teams, involving 70, 45 and 98 students, respectively. The school has been renovated for this season, and youth have access to all the equipment they need to learn and practice the sports. Students will also engage in competitions.

Ansuma, one of the youth involved in the school, said, “The school taught me much more than soccer. I have learned to control my temperament and now I also help at home and in school activities.”

M’Balia plays on the women’s soccer team. She explained, “In addition to my skills in dribbling, passing and controlling the ball, now I don’t get sick so easily. I discovered my vocation thanks to one of the sports subjects we are taught — physical health education.”

The partnership between the Salesians in Madrid and the Real Madrid Foundation began in 2010 in a Salesian school in Senegal. Today, the collaboration has 21 projects in 15 countries and serves nearly 4,000 children each season, using educational sport and its values as a catalyst for the social betterment of youth and communities.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

ANS – Sierra Leone – Sport and health, with the Salesians and the Real Madrid Foundation, at the “Don Bosco” socio-sports school in Lungi

Salesian Missions – Sierra Leone

UNICEF – Sierra Leone