Juan Carlos Cordero, a 45‑year‑old bricklayer and amateur football coach, has become an unexpected beacon of optimism in Venezuela’s La Guaira state. A father of three, he spends his weekdays laying bricks and his evenings teaching eight‑to‑12‑year‑olds how to play the beautiful game.
A Game of Hope Amid Ruins
When a series of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude tremors struck the coastal region on June 24, the earthquakes claimed more than 1,900 lives, injured over 10,000 people and left countless families without shelter. Cordero, who lost his sister and several neighbors, now lives in a makeshift tent with his injured wife, yet he refuses to let grief silence his voice.
Instead of retreating, Cordero has turned the global excitement surrounding the World Cup into a daily ritual for the children gathered in the temporary camps. Every afternoon he gathers the youngsters, many of whom have seen their homes crumble, and leads them through drills, small‑sided matches and playful competitions that momentarily lift them out of their trauma.
Calling for Playground Gear
To keep the games going, he has publicly appealed for basic football equipment — balls, vests, cones and sturdy boots — that can withstand the makeshift pitches carved out of rubble. The request, shared with local media and aid groups, aims to transform the sparse camp grounds into spaces where joy can be found.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has echoed the need for assistance, launching an appeal for millions of dollars to provide food, shelter and medical care to an estimated 30,000 survivors. While the agency coordinates broader relief efforts, Cordero’s grassroots initiative highlights the power of sport as a complementary form of psychosocial support.
Satellite analysis by U.S. researchers indicates that more than 58,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed across the affected zones, underscoring the scale of devastation. In La Guaira, the situation is described as catastrophic, with hundreds of displaced residents sleeping on the streets and others sifting through debris in search of loved ones.
Beyond the physical destruction, the emotional toll is profound. Families that once gathered around modest homes now find themselves scattered, their daily routines upended. Yet, in the midst of this chaos, Cordero’s simple act of kicking a ball across a dusty field has become a symbol of resilience, reminding both children and adults that life can still be played, even when the ground is uneven.
Looking Forward
As the World Cup continues to capture global attention, Cordero hopes that the heightened visibility will translate into concrete donations of sports gear and a sustained commitment from international donors. For now, each laugh echoing across the camp is a victory, a testament to the enduring spirit of a community that refuses to be defined solely by its losses.