OUR COLOMBIA PROJECT

SC NOWRUZ x NINOS DEL FUTURO x Make A Kid Kappy

In February, Stichting Nowruz will travel to Medellín, Colombia together with Niños del Futuro and Make A Kid Happy to work closely with the local community. In neighborhoods full of talent but limited opportunities, we use sport and community as a powerful way to connect young people and create perspective for the future.

At the heart of the project is a large street football tournament that brings youth together, alongside direct, long-term support for Camila, one young girl, in her football development and well-being, as well as practical aid such as beds and sports materials. Throughout the project, we collect stories and document the journey, focusing not on hardship, but on strength, dreams, and resilience. This is not a one-time initiative, but the beginning of a long-term commitment to lasting impact.

Camilla is a 13-year-old girl who has dreamed her entire life of playing football at a club. She has walked long distances to train and was forced to leave clubs in the past because there was no money to cover the costs. Due to difficult circumstances at home, Camilla had to take on adult responsibilities at a very young age, which made playing football impossible for a long time.

Through the football project Malala’s, Camilla was finally given a fair chance. The name Malala’s is inspired by Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist who has become a global symbol of courage, equality, and the right of girls to develop.

Since finding her place within Malala’s, we have seen Camilla’s confidence grow. Our hope is to guide her from her neighborhood toward a professional football club in one of the more developed areas of Medellín — not only to further develop her talent as a footballer, but also to place her in a new environment where she can gain new experiences and grow even stronger in believing in herself.

Meet Yino, the founder of Niños del Futuro

Yino Diaz is the founder of the project Niños del Futuro. He grew up in the Netherlands and was exposed to various social challenges from a young age. He left school early, went through multiple guidance programs, and moved out at a young age. Having to stand on his own early in life led to school dropout and spending a lot of time on the streets.

Life on the streets eventually led him down the wrong path, with all the consequences that came with it. These experiences, however, shaped him into the person he is today. Drawing from these life lessons, he founded Niños del Futuro with the aim of sharing his experiences with young people who find themselves in similar situations.

Within the project, there is a reciprocal relationship: Yino supports young people with his knowledge and experience, while the youth, in turn, offer him new perspectives and contribute to his personal growth and healing process. It is an exchange built on trust, growth, and mutual respect.

Niños del Futuro has since grown into a well-known and respected organization in Medellín, supported and embraced by the local community.