Saving Lives educates children to understand the risks of explosive devices in areas affected by the planting of antipersonnel mines.
"WE SAVE LIVES WITH SOCCER".
Heidy Valencia, Líderes Salvando Vidas leader and program ambassador for Latin America.
Heidy was born 26 years ago in Tuluá, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, but she has traveled thousands of kilometers fleeing violence. The war took her to Ecuador, but for love she returned to her country. Her life translates into soccer and resilience. From a very young age, she found in sports the best tool to positively impact all those places she has traveled. With heavy tulas on her shoulders she has walked through the most difficult areas to teach peace and reconciliation through soccer.
All the children who participate in the Líderes Salvando Vidas sessions agree that with what they have learned they now know how to react if they encounter a landmine or explosive device.
Today in Mirada, Cauca, it trains children in the prevention of risks associated with explosive devices in areas with a high presence of anti-personnel mines. She does this thanks to Líderes Salvado Vidas, a program supported by Scotiabank, which encourages them to promote three key messages: “don’t touch, stay away, communicate”.
Her 7-year-old son Pablo is her greatest accomplice. At school, he explains the risks of mines to his friends, becoming one more replicator of the message.
Heidy, who studied a technical degree with an emphasis on soccer, discovered in this sport a powerful tool for social transformation, a tool for family and educational integration. But soccer has also given her stability, has allowed her to improve herself and has been a way of life for her.
