Partnership between Real Madrid Foundation and the Salesian Missions Office in Madrid

(MissionNewswire) Coaches and educators from the Real Madrid Foundation’s socio-sporting schools in Tanzania received training in soccer, basketball and values during in-person sessions facilitated by the foundation. Since 2019, 180 youth from Don Bosco Oysterbay Vocational Training Center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, have been receiving values-based training through sport thanks to a partnership between Real Madrid Foundation and the Salesian Missions Office in Madrid, Spain.

The partnership has 21 projects in 14 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. The partnership began in 2010 at a Salesian school in Senegal and continued to schools in Central and South America. The first social-sports school was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The summer training sessions combined soccer and basketball and served to reinforce the participants’ knowledge of the Real Madrid Foundation’s educational philosophy and methodology “For a REAL education: values and sport.” Both the Real Madrid Foundation and the Salesians are aware that sports are important for social integration and the promotion of values like teamwork, communication, respect,and team spirit.

The socio-sporting school in Dar es Salam educates youth ages 9-17 about values by playing soccer and basketball in mixed-gender groups.

Program participants also receive nutrition, family and psychological support, and regular health checkups. They have 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.

“Sports programs teach youth both on and off the field,” says Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Learning and playing team sports encourage leadership skills as well as teach youth to work as part of a team. Students also learn important social skills and have opportunities for growth and maturity.”

In Tanzania, 67.9 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. While the country has seen some economic growth in tourism, mining, trade and communication, the number of Tanzanians living below the poverty line has marginally increased due to rapid population growth. In some regions, up to half of the population struggles to meet the cost of essential food and shelter and other basic necessities like clothing, health care and education.

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Sources:

Real Madrid Foundation – Foundation coaches in Tanzania attend in-person training sessions

UNICEF – Tanzania

Salesian Missions – Tanzania