Uniting Communities
Tarapoto, Peru | Day 6 | February 21, 2024
“My heart is just overjoyed…a lot was won here tonight…but it’s way more than a game”
Our second day in Tarapoto saw us play our second official game of the 2024 Peru Impact Trip. This time we played the San Martin all-stars at the Chacarita Versailles stadium, the same field where Coach Graham and Coach Rob led a coaching clinic last night.
“It’s more than football…it’s relationships…and tonight we had community leaders from different parts of the city…government officials…they got to see how sport can be a powerful tool to bring people together which was amazing” said Graham.
“My heart is just overjoyed…a lot was won here tonight..but it’s way more than a game…on behalf of TeamUp we just can’t say thank you enough” he continued.
The game ended in a 5-2 victory for the Spartans, who will now be gearing up to play Tarapoto’s strongest women’s team tomorrow afternoon.
As far as service projects were concerned, the players started their day by splitting up into two groups – one which went back to the same community centre we were at yesterday, and another which ran a soccer clinic in the nearby Juan Guerra neighborhood.
The first group helped establish a concrete platform to replace a building’s entryway which normally turns into three inches of mud whenever it rains. With a brand-new concrete platform, people will be able to comfortably make their way in and out of the community centre regardless of the weather.
Our sixth day in Peru ended with a run into town to grab ice cream before heading to bed. But not before we were treated to yet another rooftop dinner by our Tarapoto friends!
Published Thursday, February 22, 2024
✍️ Sacha Mugisha
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Photo credits: Elijah Croyle, Kate Roxburgh & Leyton Neufeld
