In Memoriam Vicente Iraizoz
On March 6th, we received the news of the passing of Vicente Iraizoz. This friend and dedicated Red Deporte worker for five intense years passed away in Senegal while doing what he loved most—working in support of the most vulnerable communities in the world’s neediest countries.
Vicente began working with Red Deporte in 2008 and was involved in numerous projects within our organization. His first mission was in Rwanda and Goma (Democratic Republic of the Congo), where he played a key role in what would later become the Boscolac program—a highly impactful initiative for young Congolese refugees. He later went on to work in Zambia for two years, organizing numerous tournaments and educational events, overseeing the construction of the sports center, identifying new projects, and managing the registration of Red Deporte as an official organization in Zambia, among other tasks.
Later, Vicente spent several months in Mozambique, leading the construction of a Red Deporte sports center in Inharrime, as well as a home we built for 70 homeless girls.
He subsequently returned to Goma, where he successfully led the construction of a home for 25 refugee children, a sports center, a food distribution program, a sports-education initiative, and the establishment of a medical clinic and psychiatric unit. He also coordinated the construction of several water wells, improved access to the lake area, and promoted a reconciliation program for war victims in the Great Lakes region.
Vicente’s final mission with Red Deporte took him to El Salvador, where he coordinated a sports-based project in Santa Ana aimed at preventing young people from joining gangs, known locally as “maras,” through sport and education. There, he oversaw the construction of a sports center and the entire educational and social program delivered through sport.
At Red Deporte, we are deeply grateful to Vicente for having been part of our NGO. He will be remembered for life as an exceptional person who did a great deal of good for the thousands of children and young people we serve. We have shared our deepest condolences with his family. Farewell, Vicente—our colleague and friend.
