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Photo Essay: Spreading Joy through Soccer in Mexico

Guest Post by: Shayal Karwa-Moricca: high school sophomore, 16 years old, Los Angeles, loves soccer and tacos.



A person in a yellow shirt and shorts stands on grass, holding a green backpack with a water bottle. Gray building in the background.

To start day one of our trip, iACT visited Matamoros, Mexico, to scope out a second possible location for RUSA in Mexico.



Woman and five kids sit in a circle on grass by a wall, all making funny faces and laughing. One child holds a soccer ball.

After checking out the Matamoros area, we went to the RUSA program in Reynosa and met many of the children living there in the Senda 1 shelter.


We brought balls, shoes, and art supplies with us from the United States to give to the kids in Reynosa, Mexico.



A smiling child in a pink outfit sits on a soccer field holding a colorful ball. Bright green cones and bags are visible in the background.

The children loved the equipment, and there were now enough soccer balls for each kid to have their own during the drills and games.



People stretch on a soccer field under a clear sky. They form a semi-circle, reaching sideways. Painted walls and a fence are in the background.

We taught them all sorts of fun drills, stretches, and team-building exercises.



Child in a Messi jersey sits on a soccer field, watching others play. Green turf, mural on wall, clear sky, relaxed atmosphere.

Talking to these kids about their journeys was incredible, and it was amazing to see how much they opened up once we started playing soccer.



Boy smiling while sitting on grass with a colorful soccer ball. Green cones and a backpack are seen in the background. Playful mood.

Their joy shows us that soccer is truly a language that transcends cultural and language barriers.



Three friends on a soccer field. Two are smiling; the one in yellow wears a "Rooted in Hope" shirt. Sunny day with a brick wall backdrop.

So help iACT start RUSA in Matamoros, Mexico, and we can create even more joy in these children.

Help iACT resource communities as they lead.

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