A mother’s journey finding solace in soccer

In a quiet lakeside town in Guatemala, Blanca, a 38-year-old mother of four, slips on her soccer cleats and joins her teammates at a local dirt field.

While the venue may not be a stadium with meticulously manicured grass, shining lights and cheering fans like the ones where World Cup games are played, once Blanca is out on the field, she has the same passion and determination every top player possesses.

Friends from nearby come together at the field for an hour of fast-paced competition. Constant movement and clear communication outweigh overthinking.

Taxis and bikes sometimes cut through the field on route to their destinations, but the players’ focus doesn’t falter.

Here, on the playing field, amid the airborne balls and continuous running, Blanca finds solace and refuge. Just as professional soccer players must do in high-intensity, 90-minute games in the World Cup, she forgets about the outside world and sets her mind on the match.

Soccer as sanctuary

Determination and resilience aren’t new for Blanca.

Her childhood in poverty forced her to face obstacles too heavy for someone her age. At 7, she was expected to be a caregiver for her older aunt. And she faced further hardships from her youth into adulthood.

After she had her first child at 22 years old, Blanca decided she needed an outlet to overcome her daily stresses. It was then that she found soccer.

Friends encouraged her to go to practice with them, and it quickly became a space where she thrived. Over the last 15 years, Blanca has been active on a number of teams, playing defense or goalkeeper.

She’s received top goalkeeper awards in local tournaments and frequently gets called to play on teams that need her skills.

Playing soccer brings Blanca pleasure despite life’s challenges. The field has not only given her a sense of liberation, but also community. Team dinners and gatherings after games bring her a sense of belonging.

“It helps me when I'm dealing with a lot of problems and going through difficult times,” she said. “Sometimes, when I'm feeling overwhelmed, they call me to come play, and I go because I know that for that moment it will help me take my mind off things. It feels like it frees me from everything for a while. It helps me a lot in that way.”

Pursuing purpose off the field

Off the field, Blanca dedicates herself to her home and children, earning a living by cleaning houses, making tortillas and weaving.

In Guatemala, weaving is a fundamental part of life. Rooted deep in Mayan culture, every region and family uses different textile techniques. The practice requires patience and detailed artistry and has been around for 1,500 years.

Colorful fabrics reflect symbols of animals, nature and shapes, making every pattern personal to the weaver. Each piece tells a multifaceted story, as beautiful and intricate as Blanca’s ability to overcome challenges with strength and inspiration given to her by her children and her participation with Unbound.

No one reaches the goal alone

Blanca is forever grateful for Unbound’s support. “… In my difficult moments, they have supported me and my children,” she said.

She considers Unbound and its supporters a miracle of love, assisting her daughter Mailin in her education through a scholarship. Also, with support from her son Mynor’s sponsorship, Blanca is forging a path out of poverty for her family.

She credits her bravery to her children, saying her son is her strength and her girls are her courage. Having financial support has given Blanca the freedom to bring focus to her mental health. By playing soccer, she’s found an effective outlet that provides her with a sense of comfort.

Whether the sport is watched by millions on an international stage, or by friends and family on the sidelines of a community field, soccer brings a universal sense of unity and purpose to its players. While Blanca’s experience is unique to her, the passion she has for soccer and the enjoyment of time spent practicing and playing matches are shared with countless others who take the field.

Every week before Blanca laces up her cleats, her children encourage her to go out and play. She said they even organize her backpack and clothes, because they know the happiness soccer brings her.

“When you go to play, you feel free, you forget everything, for an hour, you're only thinking about winning,” Blanca said. “There, you get distracted and feel peace that really relaxes you.”

Unbound Regional Reporter Oscar Tuch in Guatemala contributed information and photos for this story.