I had the honor of visiting lovely Colombia on a church mission trip recently, where I had the opportunity to pack and serve meals to kids in the community of Ciénaga, which literally translates to “Swamp.” The part of Ciénaga we visited is a community made up of Venezuelan refugees. They settled in The Swamp because it is land no one else wanted.

The community faces many challenges: poverty, violence, drug use, and abuse are all commonplace. There are two violent gangs that complicate matters.

We met an amazing lady, Damaris Manzano. Compelled to help address the challenges of the community, she moved into Ciénaga. As an elementary school teacher, she started working with Ciénaga’s kids. Over time, she’s built relationships with hundreds of kids, encouraging them, teaching them trade skills, feeding them, and building them up spiritually by sharing Jesus with them.

A few days later, I found myself sitting across a table from Damaris and asked her questions, including, “What are your needs? Is there anything I can do to support what you’re doing?”

She shared her vision for starting a youth football (soccer) league in Ciénaga. Colombian kids LOVE football. Many can’t afford the basics for entry into organized play, including shoes, much less uniforms. She showed me pictures of the kids playing football (see the attached pictures), many playing in Crocs or sandals — and they’re the lucky ones. Many play on concrete barefoot.

The main benefit of being on a football team isn’t just about a diversionary game. Damaris shared that if the kids have an organized activity that they love, they’ll be able to build healthy friendships and community, thus avoiding the other unhealthy trappings of their impoverished surroundings (drugs, alcohol, gangs, violence).

I asked Damaris how much it would cost, and she broke down the expenses in Colombian Pesos for me. (These are screenshots of our conversation using Google Translate):

At the current exchange rate of about 4000 Pesos / $1, that’s about $32 per kid.

—or—

$9/uniform

$23/pair of football shoes

Total cost of uniforms for 50 players would be around $1600.

When I asked if this would positively affect the community, she went on to share more of her vision:

I am compelled to help these kids live safer, fuller, happier lives, and for them to know that people from across the world see them as having worth.

I’m setting the goal at $2000, with any excess going toward whatever incidental expenses they may have (i.e.: new goal nets, extra uniforms, a coach stipend). If more funds come in, I can assure you that Damaris would use any additional funds wisely in her job training, art, or education programs. Please consider giving. You may positively change the trajectory of someone’s life.