Written by Cecilia del Rio
When you hear Girls Soccer Worldwide’s mission statement — “Empowering girls to rise out of poverty through sports, education, and leadership opportunities.” — you immediately know who we serve and how we show up.
Poverty is simply the lack of financial resources to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and education. But there is a dual sided message about poverty in our mission statement. It’s the side of poverty we don’t always talk about — inner poverty — the lack of self-worth, value, and belief in our own purpose.
These are the essentials we all need and without them living a quality life is non-existent, no matter where you were born or economic status you were born into. While material poverty is visible, inner poverty can be just as limiting.
At its core, no matter our background, we all need the same things. We all need to feel seen and understood. We need to know who we are and have the courage to embrace it. This doesn’t come from what we have access to…it comes from the time we take to discover it. This is our Ambassador for Change leadership program.
A few of the girls on my soccer team started joining the organization, and I began to become familiar with it. I never took the extra step forward to be part of it, because something was holding me back. I felt I wasn’t enough to be part of such an important program.
I noticed my strength of understanding before even starting this program through Maria’s story — Girls Soccer Worldwide’s first Ambassador. Her story really stuck with me. Even though we came from different places and lived very different lives, I saw how alike we were. We were two girls who loved soccer. Despite our circumstances, deep down, we were the same.
Becoming an Ambassador
I finally applied and became an Ambassador.
GSWW helped me open up, face things I used to avoid, and discover parts of myself I didn’t even know existed. I remember being asked why girls my age avoid taking the time to self reflect and my reply was “I don’t like to get inside my thoughts.” And what one might think is a petty reply it is the reality most of us face due to social expectations, comparison traps, and unrealistic beauty standards.
The mental script we play inside our heads has a direct impact on how we see our own value. So overtime I chose to change mine to not allow what other people say.
Throughout the two years I’ve been with this program, my ability to understand has only strengthened. I’ve learned so many significant things and have become a more emotionally intelligent person.
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Empathy Changes Hearts
Empathy is one of our core values. When I heard that word, I realized it perfectly described something I’ve always carried with me. That’s why I created my North Star:
“Empathy changes hearts, hearts change the world.”
It came naturally to me and has guided me throughout my time as an ambassador. It reminds me that every connection starts with understanding.
Being part of Girls Soccer Worldwide has been a meaningful privilege, offering me new perspectives and experiences. Every workshop or grassroots event leaves me with a deep sense of fulfillment. I walk away feeling emotional and proud. I’m becoming the person I’ve always hoped to be — and I’m still growing every day.
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Connected Through Understanding
I believe we are all more alike than we are different.
So this is to the woman who knows the value of being seen and understood.
To the woman who is on a path of self-discovery and searching for who she is and who she wants to be.
To the woman who wishes she had a program like this at a young age.
Provide scholarship access for a girl who will only thrive when given the opportunity to participate in our program today.
Together, we can take the steps to redefine and fight poverty — and see others for their heart, not for what they have or where they live.
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Help provide scholarship access and leadership opportunities for girls through Girls Soccer Worldwide’s programs.
