Laureus Sport for Good Foundation

PROJECT
HIGHLIGHT
34
UNIÓN Y AMISTAD DE SAN ISIDRO, ARGENTINA
‘If you are free to choose your present, you
will be free to choose your future.’ With
this motto UASI is reshaping the way young
people perceive school by showing them the
importance of education.
In La Cava, the community in Buenos Aires where Unión y Amistad de San
Isidro (UASI) is active, only five percent of youth finish secondary school. One-
hundred percent, however, of UASI participants either attend school or are in
the process of being reintegrated into the educational system. Additionally,
by attending the project, participants generate a space where they can
develop new friendships while sharing their problems with professionals who
are able to assist them in improving their lives.
Since the beginning of 2007, the management of the project has been
delegated to individuals from the community instead of being facilitated
by external professionals. UASI’s strong links with important stakeholders
in the community means that programme activities are coordinated and
delivered by a team of individuals that were raised in the community and
understand particular issues and challenges. UASI has begun strengthening
its methodology to ensure that it can be replicated in other areas. The
main challenge was identifying community leaders to manage the project.
Today, the project is managed by ex-participants. However, it is important to
highlight that this was a long process that involved training the participants
in making them leaders of their own projects.
UASI also organised the second Hockey Sevens Tournament which
promotes the transmission and application of positive values through sport.
Many teams from all over the country participated in the event, but it was the
representatives from our project who were responsible for coordinating the
transfer of values to the rest of the participating projects and teams.
With UASI being the only sports organisation in this dangerous 10 000-
strong slum, our methodology includes two clear elements: sport and human
development. Daily coaching sessions take place where coaches emphasise
nutrition and health, as well as promoting moral values. Weekly meetings
are held for participants to share their concerns and problems that are not
necessarily related to sports, such as school, sex education, abuse, violence
and citizenship. The sessions inform the project leaders of the challenges that
need to be addressed.
Beyond the much-needed financial support, being part of the Laureus
Sport for Good Foundation provides us with an opportunity to be part of a
network of projects that seek to change the lives of children in Argentina. We
are able to share experiences, exchange resources and contacts, generate new
friendships, share best-practices and learn from each other’s achievements
and mistakes.
L A U R E U S S P O R T F O R G O O D F O U N D A T I O N A N N U A L R E V I E W