Mexico City, Mexico
I just returned from Mexico City and 10 days later I was back running a program for Hogar Providencia, who saw our work with El Pobrecillo and wanted to participate. I was staying in La Condesa, an area about 10 minutes away from the program site.
When I arrived to el hogar, I met with Mario, the children’s home director who was so excited and grateful to collaborate with us. Before entering, I was instructed to enter a sanitizing arc, something I had never seen before. It looked like an irrigation system manufactured in the shape of a gate. I stood there and immediately, cold water shot out of the nozzles, soaking me from head to toe.
Drenched and regretting my shower from earlier in the morning, I walked into the front lobby for additional hand sanitizer and a temperature check. After I passed all of the COVID-19 safety measures, our group began a long walk toward the play space. Weaving through the playscapes and jungle gym, the kids approached cautiously and curiously.
Our first group was the young kids, some as young as 5-years-old. Immediately one boy came up and introduced himself and asked for my name. I was so impressed, but he would shock me one more time as his eyes lit up when looking at our OWPP blue soccer balls. “They are indestructible, right?” he questioned. I answered, “Yes! How did you know? No one ever knows that.” It turns out he saw a commercial for them on television once. I just stood there in a state of shock and disbelief.
Later, one of my contacts at the site pulled me aside saying she told him about the soccer balls because he was curious. Turns out he did not see them on television, but he was eager to work with me! He would impress me many more times during this program.
We broke into teams to begin drills as I always do to start programs. This same boy replied, “Sí, entrenador Stephen! We jump over the ball and then next we will do stepovers.” I was baffled yet again, how did this boy know everything about our program without ever participating in it himself? Then, I was told that he had a friend who participated in my program with El Pobrecillo. They talked all about the program in excitement before I arrived!
Practicing a variety of communication, listening and reflex drills, the kids were laughing and having so much fun. We finished off with a game of head it, catch it, which is always a crowd favorite, and a scrimmage.
The beneficiaries all received a bracelet, ball, tee-shirt and small journal where they could write anything. After the program, we began preparing for the next where I would be working with older girls. They were quick to pick their best friends when we divided into small groups, which made the kids excited as they cheered each other on. While this program was competitive, it was filled with lots of encouragement.
After our drills, we scrimmaged, which ended in a golden goal scenario. No one scored and it ended in a draw. I gave each athlete a ball, tee-shirt, bracelet and journal and told them how I appreciated their energy, attention and respect, hoping they learned something and enjoyed our time together. I asked, “Did you learn something new?” and multiple hands shot up.
“I learned how to work hard on the field.”
“I learned how to work together with a team.”
“I learned la bicicleta.” or stepovers as we say in English.
“I enjoyed the hands vs. head game!”, which was a part of our reflexes segment.
After, I taught them a freestyle trick where they had to catch the ball on their neck. When I first demonstrated it, none of them thought it would be possible, but by the end, they were all balancing it on their neck just as I had! These kids never cease to amaze me.
Freestyle tricks! 
Freestyle tricks! 
Freestyle tricks!
I thanked everyone for their time and left with a smile and a wave.
