Josue’s Story
Meet nine-year old Josue.
Josue is a shy, reserved child who wanted to love football but found it intimidating. This is unusual in Guatemala, as like many cultures around the world, football is a big part of Guatemala. The fast-paced action of the game, the sound of the whistle, and the pressure made him believe the sport wasn’t for him. But his parents saw an opportunity for growth and enrolled him with Project Somos.
As part of the Boys’ program, Ricardo spends time playing football with the kids. It’s a way of building self confidence, and learning discipline and resilience. Plus, Ricardo always creates a welcoming environment where play and fun are prioritized. Initially, Josue struggled, feeling uncoordinated and fearing failure. But to help with his anxiety, we organized games that focused on enjoyment rather than competition.
Gradually, Josue’s confidence has grown. We’ve introduced friendly competitions within the group, celebrating effort and positive attitudes. And as his skills have improved, so has his self-esteem and confidence. He began to see soccer not as a source of stress but as an exciting challenge.
Two weeks ago, Josue participated in our Olympics competition with enthusiasm. His transformation was evident as he played with passion and had fun. His confidence soared, and he started to see himself as a soccer player. Since then, he’s hit another milestone, joining his public schools football team, and he told me that in one game, he scored the winning goal, he felt like a hero that day.
Beyond football, Josue has gained invaluable self-confidence and a positive outlook. He’s applied the lessons learned in football to his academic performance and friendships, showing remarkable growth in all areas of his life. His story is a powerful testament to the impact of our boys’ club and Ricardo’s hard work and passion to support the children. With the right guidance and encouragement, children can overcome their fears, discover new passions, and achieve incredible things.
Written by Ricardo Caceres
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