Colombianitos is a Colombian non-profit created to help child victims of armed conflict in Colombia. Founded in Atlanta by a group of Colombian professionals in 2002, Colombianitos started in one of the poorest parts of Bogota, and has since expanded into four other Colombian cities, Cartegena, Puerto Tejada, Barbosa, Sincelejo, and Medellín.
Through the Colombianitos Football School, the organization uses football to tempt children away from drugs and crime that plague their communities. The Colombianitos football curriculum teaches children self control, decision making, values, and ethics through the laws of the game. But participation is not free for the kids. The kids are required to attend school and comply with a set of behavioral requirements. If the kids can comply with these requirements, then participation is free.
Parts of Colombia have been embroiled in conflict for the better part of the last four decades. A history of fractious politics, armed conflict, and illegal drug trade, has led to years of unpredictability, especially for children whose lives have been, and are still being, touched by a combination of these influences. For many Colombian children, there is a void of positive influence. Colombianitos steps into this void to provide direction to children who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Colombia is like many of its South American neighbors when it comes to football. Football is as much a part of the nation’s identity as Catholicism. Football’s unique place in society makes it a perfect medium to capture the attention of children who have been surrounded by poverty and conflict, and show them that there is another way.
Drugs and violence too often dominate the Colombian narrative in international media coverage. For years, movies and media coverage highlighted drug cartels. The tone set by years of drug coverage has clearly seeped into the Colombian narrative, and to this day, seems to be the underlying story behind anything that the international media deems worthwhile to cover in Colombia. You can expect to read about Colombian players in the mainstream media when they are victims of violence that fit within the “violent Colombia” narrative. Previously, iconic figures like Carlos Valderrama opened doors for coverage outside of this stereotypical narrative. But when there are no iconic figures like Valderrama, it’s easy to fall back into the typical storylines about the country.
Colombia is so much more than drugs and violence. The country has miles and miles of absolutely stunning scenery. Colombian musicians Shakira, Juanes, and Carlos Vives are just the front line of an incredibly dynamic music scene that includes amazing cumbia, reggae, salsa, and rock artists. Add Colombian football to the equation and you just start to cut into what makes Colombia a culturally vibrant nation full possibilities.
Focusing on programs like Colombianitos shows that Colombians are on the front lines of showing what tomorrow’s Colombia will look like. Colombianitos recognizes that tomorrow’s Colombia starts with today’s children. Tomorrow’s businessmen and women are now learning life skills at Colombianitos. But don’t be surprised if the next Valderrama comes out of the program as well.
Visit www.colombianitos.org to learn more about how Colombianitos provides Colombian children the opportunity to maximize their potential.
