Some of the most powerful moments in community development don’t happen in boardroom meetings or formal planning sessions. Sometimes, they happen on a crowded train platform.

When TeamUp National Sports Coordinator Carlos Piño stepped onto the platform at the Ayacucho Avenue train station in Lima, he didn't expect to mark a turning point for youth sports hundreds of miles away in the Amazon basin. But a chance encounter that afternoon set off a chain reaction that continues to transform lives across Pucallpa, Peru.

A Vision Rooted in Community

To understand how this movement began, you have to look back to 2016.

For over 16 years, Rodolfo Jesús Torres Solís and his wife, Ross Mery Cairuna Urias, have dedicated their lives to serving communities across Peru. Raised in Lima, Rodolfo’s path took a pivotal turn when he and Ross Mery felt called to relocate to Pucallpa—specifically to Valle de los Lirios, a vibrant community home to the indigenous Shipibo-Conibo people.

Together with their three children—Joshua, Abigail, and Uziel—Rodolfo and Ross Mery established deep roots in Valle de los Lirios, building trust, supporting families, and seeking new ways to create opportunities for local youth.

Yet, like many leaders working in remote or under-resourced regions, Rodolfo faced a recurring challenge: finding structured, sustainable programs that could engage young people, build resilience, and teach leadership skills through physical activity. He knew what the youth in Pucallpa needed, but he was searching for the right partner and tools to bring that vision to scale.

The Meeting at Ayacucho Station

Two years prior, Carlos had briefly met Rodolfo in passing at a community event in Pucallpa called "Rivers of Fire." It was a quick introduction—the kind where you exchange names and move on.

Fast forward to their unexpected reunion at the Ayacucho Avenue station. As the two caught up on the busy platform, Carlos felt compelled to share TeamUp’s mission and model—specifically how sports programs can serve as catalysts for youth development, character building, and community transformation.

As Carlos explained the framework, Rodolfo’s eyes widened.

"This is an answer to prayer—it’s exactly what we were looking for," Rodolfo said.

Recognizing Rodolfo’s enthusiasm and local influence, Carlos made a simple proposal: “If you can gather ten interested local leaders, our team will travel to Pucallpa to share the vision and conduct our sports leadership training.”

From 10 Leaders to 6 Programs