Fundación Match Tenis: Transforming lives and building peace through sport
In a country marked by decades of armed conflict, an inspiring example of how sport can be a force for social transformation emerges: the Fundación Match Tenis (“Match Tennis Foundation”, in English). Created by Andrea Archila, a lawyer and social worker, this organization is dedicated to improving the well-being of Colombia's most vulnerable communities. Its primary tool, tennis, goes beyond being just a sport. It is a discipline that teaches young people resilience, teamwork, and the ability to rebuild the social fabric, forging a future full of hope.
By Andres Laguna
A dream born from vocation and experience
Andrea conceived the idea for the Foundation during her master’s program in human rights and transitional justice. Reflecting on how to bring peace agreements to life in the territories most affected by conflict, she decided to combine her vocation for service with her professional experience to develop a project with real impact.
“I truly wanted to impact the territories with a social incidence approach that would allow them to forgive, heal, and live in peace,” Andrea explains. To achieve this, she needed a tool that conveyed these values—and that tool was tennis. This sport not only enhances physical skills but also teaches life lessons. “Tennis is a master of resilience, teaching you to overcome defeats, celebrate victories with humility, and keep working to improve,” she adds.
The choice of sport was no accident. Tennis combines individual responsibility with teamwork, naturally promoting both personal and collective development. Additionally, its symbolic nature—where a “match point” can change the course of the game—deeply resonates with young people facing daily challenges and seeking new opportunities.
Impact on beneficiaries
The results have been transformative. Most of the beneficiaries, who started as children, have undergone a process that has turned them into adolescents with new perspectives and tools to face life. Through the program, they learn to rebuild their life projects, develop socio-emotional skills, and gain the opportunity to break cycles of poverty and inequality.
“Today, we have 25 teenagers who have become multipliers of the process in their communities,” Andrea proudly states. Furthermore, the teenage pregnancy rate among the beneficiaries is practically zero, and all of them remain in school. These outcomes highlight the positive impact of the Foundation. To date, more than 600 young people have participated in the program, many of whom are now pursuing technical careers and leading change in their communities.
A future full of hope
The dream of the Fundación Match Tenis is to take its model to every region of Colombia where armed conflict has left deep scars. Over the next five years, the organization plans to implement its replicable methodology in departments such as Norte de Santander, La Guajira, Caquetá, Nariño and Cauca, continuing to impact vulnerable communities.
With projects already implemented in urban areas like Cazucá and rural regions like Chocó, the Foundation has proven its approach is adaptable to different contexts, always respecting differential and gender-focused perspectives. Andrea highlights: “Knowing that each child impacts four future generations confirms the immense impact we create.”
How can you support this Foundation?
Your help is essential for the Fundación Match Tenis to continue impacting the lives of hundreds of young people in Colombia. You can contribute in various ways:
- Financial donations: Every contribution helps expand the reach of programs and brings support to more vulnerable communities.
- Sponsorship programs: Become a sponsor and directly support a child or teenager in the program, helping them access training, sports equipment, and comprehensive support.
- Volunteering: Join their activities and be part of this social transformation.
- Spreading the word: Share this information on your social media so that more people can learn about and support this incredible work.
For more information or to coordinate a donation, you can contact the Fundación Match Tenis through the following channels:
Website: https://linktr.ee/fundacionmatchtenis
Instagram: @fundacionmatchplay_
Facebook: Fundación Match Tenis
E-mail: fundacionmatchtenis@gmail.com adriana.a.archila@gmail.com
