Today, we want to talk about numbers—but not the biggest ones.
Over the years, Red Deporte y Cooperación has carried out nearly 200 projects. Each has involved meetings, phone calls, coordination and a great deal of work that often happens behind the scenes. Yet the true value of our work is measured not only by the number of projects completed, but by the people who find new opportunities through them.
This summer, our CEO, Carlos de Carcer, travelled to Lusaka, Zambia, to continue developing one of our most important projects: the construction of a youth and education centre that we aim to open in the coming years.
The centre will provide a safe space where children and young people can access sport, education and new opportunities for their future. We want it to be a place where they can develop their abilities, learn, play sport, build relationships and feel supported as they work towards a future with greater opportunities.
During his visit, Carlos gained first-hand insight into the community’s circumstances and continued working with our local partners to move the project forward. The visit also provided an opportunity to identify needs, exchange ideas and further explore how the future centre can best support children and young people in Lusaka.
This project responds to a reality we know well. Last week, our colleague Chus supported Mary and Rebecca, two teenage girls who had been living and sleeping on the streets of Lusaka, as they moved into two partner care centres.
Living on the streets meant facing countless risks every day. Now, both are in safer surroundings, receiving the support and care they need.
Stories like Mary and Rebecca’s remind us why we continue working towards opening our own centre in Zambia in 2028. There is still a long way to go, requiring time, resources and the support of many people. But every visit, every partnership and every step forward brings us closer to making it a reality.
Behind every project are people. And behind every number is a story.
Today, we do not want to focus on 200 projects, or solely on 2028. Today, the most important number is two: Mary and Rebecca, two young people whose lives and futures matter deeply.
