MOZAMBIQUE: School provides education, sports for youth from low-income families
Don Bosco Social-Sports School part of Real Madrid Foundation’s global network
MOZAMBIQUE
(MissionNewswire) The Don Bosco Social-Sports School of the Real Madrid Foundation in Maputo, Mozambique, serves as a safe haven for children from the Chamanculo and Luís Cabral neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Youth at the school come from families with low incomes, many of whom rely on informal, unregulated work and face limited access to basic necessities such as water, food, hygiene, and sanitation.
The Salesian socio-educational initiative, supported by the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid, positively shapes the behavior and personal development of the 100 children aged 5-18 who attend the school. More than just academics, it seeks to nurture their overall growth and help them find direction in life.
The Don Bosco Social-Sports School is part of the Real Madrid Foundation’s global network of social-sports schools that have the motto “They play, we educate.” These schools promote a model of education that goes beyond the classroom, blending academic learning with athletic training. This holistic approach supports mental and physical development, encouraging youth to have a healthy balance between study and physical activity.
Ildo, age 14, shared how the school has impacted his life. “The Real Madrid Foundation project brought many positive changes to my life — both in school and in sports. It also improved how I relate to my classmates and my family.” Ildo highlighted the values the program teaches — teamwork, perseverance, respect and solidarity — as vital not only for personal growth but also for preparing to face life’s challenges both in and out of school.
Numerous studies show that children involved in sports and extracurricular activities tend to perform better academically. The Don Bosco School also offers tutoring and academic support, helping students to strengthen their skills and open doors to better educational and career opportunities in the future.
A central pillar of the program is social inclusion. The school provides a safe, respectful environment where youth from diverse backgrounds learn and grow together. This interaction helps reduce social barriers, strengthen community bonds, and foster a culture of peace and unity.
All participants in the program face some form of social exclusion. Many live in violent neighborhoods with high crime rates, experience family difficulties, or lack access to food and other essential resources. A youth worker at the school said, “Taking part in the project builds their self-confidence and self-esteem, and helps them develop social skills.”
The program also offers nutritional support, educational workshops, academic reinforcement classes and extracurricular activities. Youth participate in internal soccer and basketball tournaments, with four and a half hours of weekly training. They also attend motivational talks and sessions on the dangers of drug and alcohol use, join reading clubs, go on excursions, and receive regular medical check-ups.
Mozambique has made great strides in reducing poverty, according to the World Bank. But with nearly 50% of the population still living in poverty, progress has not been fast enough. Poverty is concentrated in rural areas, and even with growth within the country, the regions of Zambezia, Sofala, Manica and Gaza saw an increase in poverty in the 2000s.
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Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
Salesian Missions – Mozambique
World Bank – Mozambique
