Everyone Plays
Randall, Brazil
Goal Click and UNICEF UK collaborated on a series that highlights the impact that Soccer Aid for UNICEF has on children around the world. Súper Panas is a UNICEF program focused on the Venezuelan migration crisis, implemented by the indigenous NGO CIR (Conselho Indígena de Roraima). It ensures protection against violence, psychosocial support and education activities for Venezuelan children and adolescents, including indigenous peoples. Super Panas is currently implemented in nine Child Safe Spaces in shelters and triage posts and in four schools in Roraima. Randall plays football with Súper Panas.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football journey?
My name is Randall and I am 14 years old. I am indigenous, raised in the Maurak community in Venezuela. I have lived for around 3 years in the Ta’rau Paru Indigenous Community in the state of Roraima, Brazil. Although I do not know my biological parents, I have family and I am happy with them. Here in the community of Ta’rau Paru I do not have too many friends, just five, but in my own community I have more people that I have fun with.
I cannot live a day without playing soccer! I played every day with Súper Panas, a program by CIR (Conselho Indígena de Roraima). Here there are not many things to do, that is why the Súper Panas program is good. I do not know how it was for other people, but for me it is good!
What did you try to capture with your photos? Was there a wider meaning with the photos?
All the photos were taken inside the community of Ta’rau Paru, on the football field. I wanted to capture our field, even though it could be a better football field. But it does not matter if it is made of clay, people still like to play there.
I showed people from the community: men, women, boys and girls. Usually, they are happy when playing football, because there are not many things to do in Ta’rau Paru. Here people play happily, without arguing and fighting with each other.
There are also people waiting to play, they normally wait ten minutes or until one team scores two goals. The time we wait is not that long, so for us, waiting is not a problem. I also photographed my nephews while they were preparing themselves to play. They have played in the Venezuelan championships.
Why is football so important for you and your community?
Football has helped me to overcome and to improve everything. It has also helped me with my studies, because playing relaxes me. There is not much to do here besides studying, so football helps me with that. I want a good future, I want to be someone in life, but first I have to finish my studies.
Football is important because it brings people together in a happy moment. The only sport and recreational activity we have in the community is football. People from any age, old and young, play together happily. Women play with us as well, everyone plays together!
