From the first football school in the Wichimi community, to the eighth and last – so far – started in Wachirpas, all bear the name in Achuar of Fr Luis (Luigi) Bolla, an Italian Salesian missionary whose Cause for Beatification has been opened. The purpose is also common to all: to be a formation alternative for children and young Achuar, which contributes to the education and evangelisation of a population passionate about football.
Achuar villages are isolated communities, reachable only after many days of walking in the jungle or by plane. Therefore, “through football, which is so important in the lives of the Achuar population, children learn values such as respect, discipline, responsibility and teamwork. But it is also an invitation for young people to meet God", says Fr Togo, who when he has the opportunity to accompany young people in schools organises opportunities for prayer, confession and celebration.
The operation of the schools is possible thanks to the collaboration of the "monitors", who are people from the same community who voluntarily guide everything related to training. Thanks to the support of the Salesian missionary centres, the monitors have mobile phones or tablets to be in permanent contact with Fr Togo and to be able to carry out the planning and evaluation of the activities.
In the last year, under-12 football leagues have been organised to strengthen the bonds of fellowship between the communities. In these meetings, football matches are organised and, at the end of the day, moments of prayer are foreseen, so that the participants and their families strengthen their spiritual bond with God, through the Eucharist and Reconciliation.
Fr Togo says that there are several future projects for schools. One of these is to carry out technical training in football for the monitors, through an agreement with the Faculty of Pedagogy of Physical and Sports Activity of the Salesian Polytechnic University of Ecuador, in order to give greater depth, certification and accompaniment to the training they provide. A second challenge is to establish connections with football teams or schools in other provinces of the country, so that young people can test themselves.
"These guys also dream of becoming great footballers, of playing in the national team, and here there is also talent, skill, technique... My dream is to create a National Team for the Achuar people and participate in championships in other cities of the country, "says the Salesian excitedly.
Source: Misiones Salesianas
