Football star Iker Casillas visits Plan Peru

Iker greeting children in the remote Peruvian community, some 4,000 metres above sea level

11 July 2008: Spain football team captain Iker Casillas has visited a remote Peruvian community to help highlight Plan’s work - just days after his team won the Euro 2008 championships.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper was greeted in Patabamba, Cuzco, by a crowd of delighted children who later enjoyed their very own football match with the star.

Iker was accompanied on a tour of the community by former player and Plan Spain national board member Emilio Butragueño, Plan Peru acting director Horacio Torres and Plan Spain director Concha Lopez.

Right track

A girl tries to score past Iker in a match with local children and former player Emilio Butragueño

Praising Plan’s work, Iker said:

“With an organisation like Plan they [children and youths] have the opportunity to get on the right track for the future. They need to become well-rounded individuals apart from being good at their work, mature, well-informed and aware of the world they live in.”

Community support

Plan has worked in Patabamba for 10 years and has supported the community in building an elementary school, a medical centre, and handicraft workshop.  Construction of a high school is also underway.

View a short video of Iker’s visit on Peruvian news site El Comercio (narrated in Spanish).

Learn more about Plan’s work in Peru.

Visit the Plan Spain website.