Fair societies are inclusive societies

Children in 11 preschools from all over Moldova will benefit from sports equipment, including equipment for children with special needs, due to a project, implemented by the Moldovan Football Federation and UNICEF in Moldova. The procured equipment includes bibs, goals, balls, but also some items for children with special needs, like balance disks and tactile disks

“Inclusion in preschools is a way to begin undoing many obstacles, as sport is inclusive,” said Desiree Jongsma, UNICEF Country Representative in Moldova. “Everybody can join, and all players are equal in sport! All are teammates and share the same aim – to play and eventually, to win friendships.”

“Inclusive education should not only begin in a school classroom,” said Virginia Rusnac, director of the Republican Center for Psichopedagogical Assistance. “It should begin from an early age, teaching children the value of empathy.”

Estimates suggest that there are at least 93 million children with disabilities in the world, but numbers could be much higher. They are often be poor, less likely to access medical and education services, or have their voices heard in society. Their disabilities also place them at a higher risk of physical abuse.

Sport can help stop discrimination, intolerance and violence, break barriers and bring people together.

This initiative was possible due to support from the Government of Switzerland and the UEFA Hat Trick Footbal for Social Responsibility funding.