By Kadia Sow | CEO
Thirteen years ago, Futebol dá Força (FDF) began with a simple belief: empowering coaches empowers girls. It started when founder Cecilia met a Mozambican coach whose best player became pregnant at 13. That moment sparked a movement to drive real change through coaching.
Today, our global movement has empowered over 161,000 girls across 33 countries. In Mozambique, our home, the GlobalGiving Project aims to reach 35,000 girls, giving them access to football, education, and strong role models.
This past season, through training sessions and workshops, we empowered 34,530 players across 1,151 teams, led by 2,274 coaches in 70 districts of Mozambique.
Each coach is voluntary and they are not just teaching football; they are shaping the next generation, ensuring that girls—who are the true beneficiaries of this project—gain the skills, confidence, and support they need to build their futures.
The Power of a Coach: Benedito’s Story
Coach Benedito uses football to create opportunities for girls. “I’ve always wanted to prepare athletes for the future,” he says, but Força’s Values-Based Leadership training opened his eyes to the challenges girls face—and how he could help.
Starting with 18 players, his team grew to 30. “I faced a lot of resistance,” he says. “But through conversations, we built understanding. Now, parents come to watch and support their daughters.”
The Impact on Girls: Izabel’s Journey
Izabel joined FDF inspired by a FDF coach's training sessions and awareness talks, and she was later coached by Benedito. And though her team won the league one year, for Izabel, the biggest win was gaining confidence and knowledge. “Our leaders teach us about school dropout, early marriage, and unplanned pregnancies. Thanks to their guidance, we’ve learned to make informed decisions and protect our futures.”
Your Support Makes This Possible
This year has been especially challenging due to the political situation affecting Mozambique, making your support more important than ever. Thanks to you, nearly 35,000 girls now have access to safe spaces, strong role models, and a brighter future.
We are deeply grateful—together, we’re not just changing games, we’re changing lives.
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