These 3 Dutch players are making a change in the world by bringing hockey to the favelas in Rio!
Projecto Hoquei is the name of this program: “Hockey is not popular here, many Brazilians have never seen the sport,” said Claire, therefore most Brazilians do not know about hockey. Yet a hundred children came down to the hockey clinic. The area might not be very safe and these 3 Dutch players were escorted and supported by the Church and the local priest: “The Church is holy, even in the favelas.”
In the beginning there was a natural tension but as soon as the hockey balls came out the bag, the tension disappeared. The children began to play with right away, says Teska: “Even before they knew how to use the stick they just wanted to play. They had a smile on their face all the time and that was the main thing.”
Hockey items are now kept in the church, one of few places where it is really safe according to Eveline. In the coming period more hockey sessions will be held in the district. The three ladies hope that the sport now start at the children in the favelas. JOIN AND SUPPORT PROJECTO HOQUEI ON FACEBOOK!
