Building Confidence Through Sports in Romania
United Way Romania's Learn to Be Healthy program is helping children develop healthy habits, social-emotional skills and self-confidence, one game at a time.
Children participate in United Way Romania's Learn to Be Healthy program, which uses sports and nutrition education to help young people build confidence, resilience, and social-emotional skills.
Alex, 12, is a sixth-grade student at a secondary school in the small village of Izvin in western Romania. Growing up with special educational needs, he has faced challenges many of his peers have not.
School often felt like a struggle, especially when it came to keeping up with lessons and building friendships. Still, Alex showed up every day, determined to continue his education and hopeful he would find a place where he could feel capable, confident and included.
He found that place on the soccer field through Learn to Be Healthy, a program led by United Way Romania. Each year, the program helps more than 800 children ages 7 to 14 develop healthy habits, resilience, and social-emotional skills through sports and nutrition education.
“This moment shows how students like Alex, who were initially more reserved, became more engaged with the world and started participating in group activities with greater self-esteem."
Gatlin, physical education teacher
One day, Alex's physical education teacher, Gaitin, noticed something special. When Alex played goalkeeper, he showed remarkable courage.
From that moment on, Alex began training regularly, sharpening his reflexes and building confidence along the way.
Just a few months later, he became the starting goalkeeper for his school team. At a recent interschool tournament, he saved two penalty kicks in the championship match and was named the competition's best goalkeeper.
For Alex, the achievement meant everything. It was proof that he could succeed. For his classmates and teachers, it was a moment of pride and celebration.
“This moment shows how students like Alex, who were initially more reserved, became more engaged with the world and started participating in group activities with greater self-esteem," Gaitin said.
Through Learn to Be Healthy and the support of United Way Romania, Alex found more than a game. He discovered the confidence to overcome challenges, grow as a person, and reach his full potential, both on and off the field.
Youth Opportunity
United Way is working across counties and communities to get young people the support they need to soar.