English

Beyond the final tournament, there is a long journey that often goes unseen: qualification matches, playoff battles, and moments of pressure where entire nations fight for their place on the world stage. It is football in its purest form: hope under pressure, dreams on the line, and countries carrying more than just a team.

Imagine this: You’re eight years old. They dress you in a two-piece swimsuit, style your hair like an adult’s, and put you on a platform in front of thousands of people. Across the river, people are drinking beer and applauding. Nobody asked you if you wanted to be there like that. It just… happened. And for twenty years, nobody thought anything of it.

While sexual harassment can happen in person, it is increasingly occuring online through social media, messaging platforms, videogames and other online spaces. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable, as they may not always recognise harmful behaviour or know where to seek help.

Today, catcalling, or acoso callejero, presents a considerable challenge throughout Latin America. In Cali, for instance, one in four women has been victim of catcalling, which encompasses anything from persistent staring and whistling to calling out obscene comments, in ways that usually express unwanted sexual attention.

As 2026 rolls on, Children Change Colombia remains committed to expanding our portfolio of educational projects, particularly in the rural regions of Colombia where access to opportunity is most limited. We are excited to share details of two new initiatives launching this year: Solar Panels for Schools and the Interactive Science Toolkit.

The reverence for the Heart of the World offers a powerful blueprint for a world currently facing mass extinction and the climate crisis. The Sierra Nevada reminds us that caring for the planet begins with relationships rooted in respect, reciprocity and responsibility.