The Goalkeeper

Kodjo and Chamba, laugh happily while playing football on crutches during their daily game at the Don Orione Center for children with disabilities, where they have lived for years.
Football is not a privilege, it’s a right. It’s a universal language for millions of people around the world regardless of their nationality, language or religion.
In Togo this center for children with disabilities provides specialized attention to improve their quality life. In Africa, these children have high risk of abuse and neglect. People believe that disabilities are due to a divine punishment. These “snake kids” (as they lie on the ground) are considered „demons“ and are drowned into the river in rituals „for the serpent to leave“.
Meanwhile, for these children at the Center everything it‘s all about football that brings peace for their souls and freedom for their minds… It’s more than a game. Lovely compromise of hope and peaceful coexistence. They all dream of being the new Messi in search of their next goal…