Barça Foundation helps young migrants who arrive alone in Panama

Barça Foundation helps young migrants who arrive alone in Panama

José Edmilson, a former player of FC Barcelona, and Jaime Penedo, a former goalkeeper of the Panama National Team, visited the project that is being conducted with Aldeas Infantiles SOS.

Panama is facing a serious migration problem, specifically on its border with Colombia, where thousands of boys, girls and youngsters arrive in this country from other parts of South America, and even Africa. It has been estimated that in 2021, nearly 19,000 boys and girls, according to UNICEF figures, crossed the border between Colombia and Panama on foot, mostly through the Darién Gap jungle. Many of them cross without their parents, and in a state of serious neglect that causes them major trauma and emotional stress, and that could lead them to situations of violence, poverty, lack of schooling and vulnerability.

Thanks to the collaboration between Scotiabank and EFDN member Barça Foundation, a support project is underway that also aims to improve the welfare and quality of life of boys and girls who have arrived in recent years, and who have been taken under the care of the NGO Aldeas Infantiles SOS.

This programme which is being conducted in four Aldeas Infantiles SOS centres in Panama, has received a visit from two football stars, José Edmilson, a former player of FC Barcelona and the Brazil National Team, and Jaime Penedo, a former goalkeeper of the Panama National Team and an ambassador of Scotiabank. The former players have seen the impact of the project at first hand, and have taken part in one of the sessions with the beneficiaries and educators.

Social and Educational Methodology 

Barça Foundation employs a social and educational methodology based on sport, and in this project it is used in safe, emotional and protective environments, for boys and girls who have lost parental care or are at risk of doing so. 

The video includes the statement of one of the beneficiaries of the programme, Jessica Lukombo, a girl of Angolan origin who arrived in Panama alone with her younger siblings, after her mother died during the journey through the Darién Gap jungle. José Edmilson says that “Jessica is a born leader and the Foundation programme has helped her to enhance these skills, and this can be seen in the way she takes care of her siblings”. 

Another of the statements is by Stanley Bejerano, a youngster who was taken in by the Aldeas Infantiles centre in Penonomé when he was 2 years old, together with his fivemonth-old sister. Now, thanks to this Social Inclusion programme, Stanley collaborates as an educator in the implementation of social and educational methodology, and is studying for a degree in Physical Education. 

This programme has benefitted from the participation of more than 250 boys and girls in four centres: Panama City, Colón, Penomé and David. In these communities, each condominium extends to between 8 and 12 hectares in size, with an office/service and administration area, a dining room, some sports and leisure areas and a housing area.

Statement of José Edmilson:

The former player of FC Barcelona and the Brazil National Team, has visited various Barça Foundation projects. He knows the work methodology, and believes that “the values of football are useful in life, and we, as former footballers, know what these values are and how important they can be in the lives of these children”. 

Statement of Jaime Penedo:

The former goalkeeper of the Panama National Team and an ambassador of Scotiabank believes that “because of the worldwide migration situation, we are forced to face the way the children come from other parts of South America and the islands. They make the whole journey, but do not arrive with their parents. Here they have a home, and I have had the opportunity of seeing how the Barça Foundation implements its methodology so that these children can improve their quality of life and achieve their inclusion in society. Football is a tool for change”.