Description

In conjunction with the Núñez Centro de Aprendizaje y Formación (Learning and Training Centre), which has been a Foundation local partner since 2013, and the collaboration of KONTIKI Expeditions,  the Real Madrid Foundation has been running a socio-sporting school in Pile-Montecristi since February 2022.

Pile- Montecristi is an Ecuadorian community that is globally renowned as the town where the finest hats in the world are hand-knitted, the sombreros de paja toquilla (toquilla straw hats), as known as Panama hats. UNESCO declared this weaving as intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2012. Some 70% of the population are employed in the making of these hats.

Despite the fine town’s fine reputation for hats, it faces some major social challenges related to the poverty and social exclusion that prevail in the area. Children and young people, who represent a high percentage of the population in Pile, have low academic standards, with many suffering from malnutrition and are subject to intrafamily violence and high levels of alcoholism and gender discrimination within their society.

The children who attend the socio-sporting school learn values through football, which is taught via the Real Madrid Foundation methodology. As well as practising the sport, the attendees take part in the following socio-educational activities that enhance their development: academic support, values workshops, workshops on healthy eating, health and hygiene, vocational orientation and sexuality, whilst there is also a school for parents.