Rule number one, enjoy yourself

ASUNCIÓN – When Inter Campus made its way to Paraguay in 2008, the children simply weren’t able to follow rules: arguing, jostling and fighting were the order of the day. However, as time has gone by, they’ve learned to share the pitch peacefully thanks to the constant work and patience of the local instructors. Now, great fun is being had by all in a peaceful environment.

Particularly in Cateura, a neighbourhood inside a landfill site where a space was found to play, there was a lot of disorder. The three instructors had to look after 150 children who disregarded the group they had been placed in and came to play on the pitch when they felt like it. Raimundo, one of the longest-serving instructors in the project, often had to carry out sessions with over 50 children on his own, something which reduced the quality of his splendid work. We therefore agreed on a timetable which saw the children being divided up by age group. The maximum number of children per group would be 20.

This had a significant impact. In less than a year, there was no longer the disorder that had been created by how things were organised previously, with enjoyment now being the operative word. The children learned that rules, which can seem so restrictive and boring, actually help them to live side by side and enjoy each other’s company. And in this harmonious environment, all of our children started to play and share moments of joy as they learned to give and take as well as play football in an increasingly less chaotic environment.

It might be the case that the dusty sand pitch, under which plastic bottles, tyres and ripped slippers are found, is crossed by horses every now and again, and this can leaded to the destabilisation of the environment. Nevertheless, every effort is being made to ensure that the children are provided with high-quality activities, both from a technical and human perspective.

In the other hub of the project, where 120 children from the Aldeas SOS family homes and the Zeballos Cue district play and take part in training sessions organised by three instructors, there is a climate of peace and friendship. During our last visit there, a practical course was organised on the pitch, which allowed the local instructors to experience the magic of Inter Campus training. Their reaction was wonderful: they laughed and joked so much that they felt like children again. Once again, the spirit of the game shone through.

22.10.2018