October 14, 2010

Soccer teaches life skills to Hitnü

FC Barcelona scores goals with indigenous tribe in Colombia

By Francesca FontaniniIn the heart of the forest near Colombia's border with Venezuela, Spain's FC Barcelona is using football to teach life skills to young members of the indigenous Hitnü tribe and build bridges with neighbouring communities.

The FC Barcelona Foundation, under a 2008 cooperation agreement with UNHCR, has provided funding for a "Fair Play" initiative in four municipalities of the north-eastern department of Arauca, where outbreaks of conflict threaten the safety of the Hitnü and have forced many to flee their homes.
Below:  "A UNHCR staff member struggles to compete with the silky football skills of a Hitnü girl in the village of Selvas de Lipa."

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