My

Story

Deysi

My name is Deysi, I’m 31 years old, and I come from Orellana, from the Amazon region of Ecuador. I live in a government house with my two daughters. My life hasn’t been easy. It’s been a bit difficult because raising two daughters alone is tough. I’ve had to be both mother and father, just like my mum had to be with me, as she raised me alone too.

It hasn’t been easy, also, because in the East, it’s hard to find work. There’s a lot of criminality, and many bad things are happening. That’s why I find ways, however I can, working hard so I can cover my daughters’ expenses. There have been many times when I’ve had to skip my own meals so they could eat.

I applied for a government house, and I thank God because I got it. When I got the house, things became a little easier for my daughters and me. In the government houses, I saw that many people are going through very hard situations, much harder than mine. Some children don’t have anything to eat all day, very young ones, and children with disabilities. Then I saw that there were some who like sports, who like football, who like to be active. That motivated me to start organising bi-weekly football sessions. I work with boys, girls, adolescents, with and without disabilities.

I joined the Young Coach Education because I saw the need in my community, and so it can open doors for me to continue supporting and helping vulnerable children from my neighbourhood. After the first module, I replicated the games I learned, and the kids liked them –  they told me they wanted more. They were excited and enjoyed what I was able to apply.

They used to think football was just regular football. But now I teach them that football has to be played with values, with respect, empathy, and being empathetic with others. For example, with the people in my community who have disabilities. Football means respect, it means empathy, it means love, because you have to give a lot of love to football, and to the people you’re practising it with… It means a lot. A lot, because it’s changed the way I think, the way I see things. Football is peace, not violence. And that’s what stays with them.