Pre-departure: Xabi's expectations

I will begin with a short introduction, my name is Xabi Martin, I am from Bilbao, Spain, and I am starting an exciting project with Sport and Cooperation Network (SCN) in the distant and colorful India.  I hope this trip will be magical, will continue to give me the opportunity to learn new ways of life, and to see if it is always as valid and correct as others think.

I have high expectations to continue training as a person and as a coach, to meet people that will share their life experiences with me and I am sure we will become friends for the rest of our lives, and I will be proud every time I tell a story of my time with them.

I have known the impact of cooperation for several years after taking the specific course in INEF in Madrid, together with the group DIM, a new field where licensed Physical Education teachers and coaches are continuing our variety of work.  The level of the cooperation that fills a person, makes one feel valuable and useful.  The long projects through SCN are a challenge for me, I hope being with the kids in India is a good experience for everyone, and we can open many doors for future collaborations.

Now to discuss the project in India, YFC Rurka Kalan, I hope the people are passionate for football; therefore we will already have something in common.  I hope to learn their football, their sports, and their organization, to be able to see spectacular sports together with them, something that I am passionate about.  If everything goes well, we will watch the Athletic Bilbao matches and I can recruit new supporters!

In 2008, I had a very rewarding experience when I worked on a cooperation project in Peru together with the people of ADDVES, their president, and my friend Juan Abanto, at the head.  We worked on the Villagol Project, where they created sports schools in the human settlement Villa el Salvador, where they performed instructional training course for sports educators and encouraged female football with the participation of a girls team in various tournaments.

Sports are my life and I have made my passion my profession. I always see the good side of education through sports and the positive values generated by of team sports, such as football.  Values like the sense of belonging in a group, team values, being together with a friend, and being able to do something for him, which in turn is good for you; there is no better sensation than that, being together in victory and defeat.

In conclusion, I would like to talk about the factor that I see as the most important and most popular these days, the role of the coaches, instructors, and trainers, with their performances, they represent a person very important in child’s education, not only in their sports education, but also personal growth.  The example will always be in a sporting group, knowing how to interpret the needs of each environment, each family, and each child.

That is all…LONG LIVE FOOTBALL!  LET’S GO YFC RURKA KALAN!

SMILE!

Written by Xabi Martin Nebreda, Sport Network's volunteer

World Refugee Day 2013

Today, June 20^th, marks the United Nations World Refugee Day. A day, where people in countries around the world will be recognizing the strength and determination of those forcibly evicted from their homeland. The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated, “...Refugees leave because they have no choice. We must choose to help”. It is a time when people can reflect and raise awareness of the situation of refugees around the world and show global solidarity.

Refugees face physical and emotional trauma when they are displaced from their country of origin. However, sport can provide a useful distraction and tool to build self-confidence, encourage teamwork and foster peaceful relationships between the host and refugee community.

Sport Network believes that sport is a powerful tool for human and social development. Sport, not only provides a healthy lifestyle for children and adults alike, but can also encourage children to attend school, raise awareness about health issues, promote gender equality and foster integration.

On World Refugee Day, we take this time to reflect on a number of our projects that have supported refugee and host communities around the world.

Cameroon

Sport Network, is currently implementing a project in Cameroon, which aims to improve the quality of life of refugee and local communities in the Eastern region, through education, sport and socio-cultural activities.

“Once they have a place to play, the kids will forget, even if for a moment, about their problems and their differences” Sport Network coordinator.

To facilitate this aim, Sport Network in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has constructed a primary school and sporting facilities, which include, two football pitches, as well as volleyball and netball courts. A key aspect, of the Cameroon project is the training and education of young people as peer leaders, which will contribute to the success and sustainability of the project.

Read more about the project in Cameroon.

Algeria

Sport Network have completed two projects in the Sahara that aimed to improve the living conditions of children and youth, living in refugee camps by promoting sports and education. The projects involved the construction of sporting facilities, training sport monitors, arranging cultural and sporting activities as well as the publication of a bi-lingual (Spanish and Arabic) handbook of Physical Education. The second project, which included the publication of a handbook was part funded by the UNHCR.

Read more about the projects in Algeria!

Sport Network begins new project in Tinduf Saharawi settlements.

Sport helps Saharawi women boost self-esteem.