冒険 साहसिक कार्य การผจญภัย aventura ماجرا: Launch / I am in love with children!

Yesterday was my first full day in Ibagué, and also the first event for the A Ganar program! We had our launch mini-soccer-tournament in two neighborhoods in the city. The morning session was spent at the Alberge (orphanage/youth home type place) a few minutes from city center. It began a bit shaky - it was supposed to begin at 9:00, and by 9:45 only one person from the neighborhoods around the Alberge had come (there were a number of kids living there that wanted to participate). But more youth came between 9:45 and 10:30, and we began the games.

Kids from the Alberge (they were obsessed with me - asked me to translate everything they could think of, including that "Our father" saying... I let them down on that one.)

(Also, these kids were the cutest and most helpful and adorable kids I have ever met (besides my family of course).... when we were leaving they wouldn't let me carry anything, they wanted to carry the fairly heavy bags of water so that I didn't have to - chivalry starts early here.)

After the first game we had everyone sit & learn more about the program - Ferné (A Ganar coordinator) emphasized that the program is free, and that the organization is not political, religious, or any other divisive affiliate, but that we were simply doing the work to increase youth capacity and help them achieve more in their future. He then emphasized that the program was for those DEDICATED to improving their lives, and it would require a commitment from the youth. After the explanation, we had the youth sign commitment contracts saying that they would be willing to dedicate themselves to the program if selected. I think everyone signed the papers at the Alberge. The winning teams received prizes - uniforms of the local Tolima soccer team.

After the second game at the Alberge we headed to the office with our supplies (baggies full of water - interesting alternative to bottles, empanadas with aji (chili sauce), balls, prizes, etc.) Jorge & I ate lunch and then took a taxi to the second location, a secondary school pretty far from the center. There were way more girls there, which was a relief, since the first session had 3 ladies show up, and we are aiming for 50% male/female participation. Many of the young woman at the colegio were pregnant or totting small children. They were all between 15 and 21 years old.

This session had WAY more participants show up, and the sign up process took forever, but the games were fun (8 teams of 5 - 4 preliminary games, 2 semifinals, 1 consolation game & 1 championship). There were a ton of ladies that could really play, which was cool to see, and many people surprised us all - a girl of about 15 with a jean skirt and no shoes on who kicked BUTT! It will be fun to work with these kids!

And now, for pictures!