13 pupils from our project school in Pimienta in the Honduran region of Cortés have achieved something that until recently hardly anyone would have thought possible: they won the nationwide school volleyball tournament in the U-14 category - against private and bilingual schools with significantly better conditions. What they lacked in financial resources or sports equipment, they made up for in tireless determination and true team spirit.
To promote sport, Honduras organises school championships across the country every year. For the first time, pupils from the Centro Educativo Básico Pablo Zelaya Sierra took first place in the U14 category. A sensational achievement given the unequal starting position in terms of infrastructure, equipment and financial resources. As national champions, they will represent Honduras at the Central American Championships, which will take place in Costa Rica from 2 to 8 October.
A safe space in the midst of insecurity
The boys, who come from low-income families and mostly from single-parent households, have made volleyball their passion. In an environment characterised by poverty, insecurity and often violence, sport offers them a safe space to keep away from the risks of everyday life.
This makes the strong environment they experience at their school all the more important: A committed headmistress who has their back. "She has encouraged their self-confidence and courage, regardless of their background or socio-economic status. She motivates them and helps them to realise that they have the same value as all the other children," enthuses Laura Rey Castro, PCF country representative in Honduras.
"The headmistress motivates them and helps them to realise that they have the same value as all the other children."
Reaching the goal with joint support
The next milestone is now imminent: participation in the Central American championship in Costa Rica. However, this step is also associated with hurdles - such as obtaining passports and legal travel permits, which are necessary for minors. "They had legal difficulties in fulfilling the requirements for leaving the country, as none of them had a passport and some did not even know their biological father, who has to give them legal permission to leave the country," explains Laura Ray Castro.
The Pestalozzi Children's Foundation and its local partner CASM are working together to ensure that all the necessary documents are available in good time and that the travel costs can be covered so that the pupils from Pimienta can concentrate fully on their passion for volleyball.