The project, delivered by Gol de Letra Foundation, forms part of a unique collaboration between PUMA, Cityzens Giving and Xylem, supporting football and safe water programmes in four cities around the world.
To celebrate World Water Day, all projects are holding football and water education festivals, bringing together hundreds of children from local communities.
Manchester City Captain and PUMA ambassador Fernandinho surprised young leaders and children at their festival in São Paulo.
He participated in football and water education activity, engaged in group discussions with young leaders, and spent time learning how Xylem water technology solutions are helping to provide more consistent access to clean water at the project centre.
Reflecting on his experience, Fernandinho said: “It was inspiring to meet young leaders from my home country who are so passionate about changing lives in their community through football.
“Visiting the project on World Water Day and being able to see first-hand what it means to young people in Vila Albertina was an incredible experience.”
Vila Albertina is dealing with rising issues of water scarcity.
Xylem and Fundación Avina have installed a rainwater capture and re-use system at the project’s main centre, providing more consistent access to clean water year-round.
This complements the work of the young leaders in local schools, using football-based games to educate young people on the importance of water and its conscious consumption.
The visit also saw the return of in-person training for Young Leaders for the first time since the pandemic.
City in the Community coaches from Manchester delivered three days of workshops on leadership and community football to support the Young Leaders’ preparations for the festival.
This joint global initiative is supporting projects in São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Mumbai and Manchester, and aims to reach 10,000 young people with vital water education and water access.
