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COOPERATIVE SOCIAL EMERGENCY TRANSPORT POBIC

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10 Oct

From Nigeria to Gaslini: Praise operated on the heart with the support of Pobic

From Nigeria to Gaslini: Praise underwent heart surgery with the support of Pobic. Three years, a journey from Nigeria to Italy and a path of care for congenital heart disease. On September 28, 2026, Praise underwent heart surgery at the Gaslini Hospital in Genoa. The Pobic ETS Foundation continues to support him and his family. For a child who needs cardiac care, getting to the hospital is a crucial step. When those treatments require a trip to another country, the journey begins long before the intervention. This is the story of Praise, a three-year-old Nigerian boy who arrived at Malpensa Airport on September 7, 2026, to undergo an important course of treatment at the Gaslini Hospital in Genoa. At his side, the Pobic ETS Foundation, which accompanies him along with his family. Praise’s journey and the heart surgery Praise has Down syndrome and congenital heart disease with a septal defect, indicated in the documentation received as CIV. His arrival in Italy allowed the start of the evaluation and treatment process at Gaslini, leading to the heart surgery on September 28, 2026. This was an important and delicate moment for him and his family. It is a milestone that illustrates the importance of being able to access the necessary care and having someone by your side during the journey. Pobic’s commitment continues after the surgery, maintaining support for Praise and his family. Pobic and access to care for children with heart diseases The story of Praise gives a concrete face to Pobic’s commitment to children with heart problems. Through the Open Heart project, Pobic supports access to care for children with severe heart diseases, accompanying them towards specialist interventions. Behind every path there is a child, a family and the need to face complex steps with concrete support. For Praise, this means being accompanied away from home during a particularly delicate phase of their life. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, WE SAVE LIVES OF DOZENS OF CHILDREN EVERY YEAR. HELP US DO MORE EVERY TIME. Countries 0 Children operated 0 Children visited 0 +

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Sep 20

World Heart Day: For many children, getting treatment is still a privilege

World Heart Day: For Many Children, Access to Care Is Still a Privilege Childhood Heart Disease: When Place of Birth Determines Access to Care A child anywhere in the world can develop heart disease. What makes a difference—often a decisive one—is the ability to detect it early and receive the necessary treatment. September 29 marks World Heart Day, promoted by the World Heart Federation to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases and their impact. For POBIC, this occasion also represents an opportunity to address a less visible inequality: the one that separates children who can quickly access a diagnosis and treatment from those for whom seeking care remains a difficult, costly, or even impossible journey. In fact, not all children born with a heart condition have the same opportunities ahead of them. Congenital heart defects are abnormalities in the structure or function of the heart present from birth. Some can be managed, while others require prompt diagnosis, specialized care, or surgery. In countries with well-established healthcare systems, a child with a heart condition can undergo the necessary tests as early as during pregnancy or in the first days of life. From that point on, the child is monitored by pediatric cardiologists and guided toward the most appropriate treatment plan. In many parts of the world, however, this care network is either unavailable or accessible only to a portion of the population. Distance from hospitals, a shortage of specialized physicians, the cost of tests, and the lack of facilities capable of performing complex procedures can delay diagnosis. As a result, the condition is often detected only when symptoms are already evident and the child’s condition has become more difficult to treat. It is in this gap between need and access to care that a treatable condition can become life-threatening. Not all heart conditions are present from birth. In addition to congenital problems, there are heart conditions that can develop during childhood. Among these is rheumatic heart disease, caused by damage to the heart valves resulting from one or more episodes of rheumatic fever. According to the World Health Organization, this is the most common acquired heart disease among people under the age of 25. It primarily affects children and adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries or in communities where access to health care is limited. The disease can result from a streptococcal infection which, if recognized and treated promptly, can prevent very serious consequences. However, not all families have the means to reach a healthcare facility, cover the costs of treatment, or consult staff capable of making a correct diagnosis. Here, too, the problem is not merely the presence of the disease. It is the lack of a system capable of recognizing it and intervening before the damage to the heart becomes permanent. Treating a child means building an entire care pathway. When it comes to heart surgery, attention understandably focuses on the operating room. But making a child’s treatment possible involves a much broader process. Before surgery, there are consultations, tests, precise diagnoses, and collaboration among professionals. When treatment must take place outside the child’s home country, it is necessary to organize the trip, prepare the necessary documents, identify an available facility, and ensure that the child and their companion are properly accommodated. After the operation, recovery and follow-up care begin, continuing until the child returns home and their medical journey continues. Behind every life saved, therefore, lies a network of doctors, hospitals, volunteers, families, organizations, and donors—a diverse group of people who each take on a share of the responsibility needed to guide that child from diagnosis to treatment. It is a complex task, often unseen but indispensable. Open Heart: The Heart of POBIC’s Commitment Through the Open Heart project, POBIC helps children with serious heart conditions who cannot receive the necessary treatment in their own country. The goal is not merely to provide access to surgery. It means supporting the child throughout the entire process, collaborating with healthcare facilities, managing the organizational aspects, and supporting the family at a time when the fear of the illness is compounded by the challenge of facing a long journey away from home. The stories of Jeremiah and Perl, who came from Uganda and underwent surgery in Italy, vividly illustrate the value of this network. Their journey is not an isolated incident but part of a commitment that POBIC has been carrying out for years to offer a chance at treatment to children who might otherwise go without it. Every surgery gives a child a future. But it also speaks to something greater: it demonstrates what can happen when medical expertise, international cooperation, and solidarity work together toward a common goal. Early Diagnosis Can Change a Life Ensuring access to care also means strengthening the ability to detect conditions before they become more serious. This is why pediatric cardiology visits, access to diagnostic tools, training for local healthcare staff, and ongoing collaboration with hospitals and specialists are essential. Early diagnosis of a heart condition allows for the evaluation of the most appropriate course of action and, when possible, intervention before the child’s condition worsens. Health cooperation cannot, therefore, be limited to responding to emergencies: it must contribute to building expertise, relationships, and continuity. This perspective is also crucial for the work POBIC has launched in Ghana on rheumatic heart disease, with the goal of increasing awareness of its prevalence among children and laying the groundwork for interventions based on reliable data. World Heart Day: Turning Awareness into Tangible Opportunity World Heart Day reminds us every year how important it is to protect cardiovascular health. But not everyone starts from the same starting point, and not everyone has access to the same resources. For some children, the problem isn’t knowing that treatment exists—it’s being able to access it. Bridging this gap requires expertise, organization, and resources. It requires hospitals willing to care for young patients and skilled doctors

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July 3

A concrete gesture of solidarity arises from a show

A School Event Leads to a Concrete Act of Solidarity: The families of the Stefano Magri Elementary School in Vescovato have turned the end of the school year into a form of support that will last over time. There are times when an educational message transcends the stage and becomes a concrete act of solidarity. This is exactly what happened at the Stefano Magri Elementary School in Vescovato, where the students concluded the school year with a performance inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s *The Little Prince*. The musical, which involved all the school’s classes, served as the culmination of a program dedicated to friendship, responsibility toward others, and the value of bonds. POBIC volunteers and the organization’s president, Paolo Novellini, also attended the event. From Words to Tangible Help The families“ participation sparked a spontaneous fundraiser, which made it possible to set up a long-distance sponsorship program for a child supported by POBIC. This gesture, born within a school community, has the power to reach far and provide tangible support for a child’s growth. This initiative demonstrates how solidarity can be taught not only through words, but above all through experiences. Children, teachers, and families worked together to transform the values conveyed during the performance into a real choice of compassion and responsibility. POBIC thanks the Stefano Magri Elementary School, the teachers, the students, and all the families who participated in and supported the initiative. Every gesture, even when it originates from a small community, can become the beginning of a story capable of changing a life. Read the full story and testimonials in the article published by *La Provincia di Cremona*. To learn about POBIC’s programs and find out how to sponsor a child, visit the page dedicated to long-distance sponsorships. News source: Antonella Bodini, ”From the Show to Long-Distance Sponsorship: The Great Gesture of Solidarity by the Elementary School Parents,” La Provincia di Cremona, June 29, 2026. Text independently rewritten by POBIC based on the original news article and information regarding the organization’s activities. THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, WE SAVE THE LIVES OF DOZENS OF CHILDREN EVERY YEAR. HELP US DO EVEN MORE. Countries 0 Children operated on 0 Children examined 0 +

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June 9

Official launch of the WECARE project in Eritrea

Official launch of the WECARE project in Eritrea. THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, WE SAVE THE LIVES OF DOZENS OF CHILDREN EVERY YEAR. HELP US DO MORE. Countries 0 Children operated on 0 Children examined 0 +

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June 1

Ukraine: 15 tons of personal hygiene products delivered to Kharkiv to support displaced persons.

Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine: 15 metric tons of personal hygiene products delivered to Kharkiv. An initiative to support the displaced population: over 1,500 beneficiaries, including 60% with disabilities. In a context still marked by severe tensions and ongoing risks for the civilian population, a new humanitarian operation has made it possible to deliver concrete aid to the city of Kharkiv, one of the areas hardest hit by the conflict in Ukraine. Despite a particularly challenging weekend in terms of operations and security, our colleague Olga, who was on the ground, managed to receive approximately 15 metric tons of personal hygiene products intended to support 1,545 internally displaced persons. The Acqua Viva Project and Support from AICS Kiev This is an initiative of great humanitarian importance, especially considering that at least 60% of the beneficiaries are people with disabilities, who are often among the most vulnerable groups and most exposed to the consequences of war, isolation, and a lack of essential services. The supply includes essential items for daily care and hygiene—goods that, in emergency situations, take on fundamental importance not only from a health perspective but also in terms of personal dignity and the protection of living conditions for people forced to leave their homes. This operation was made possible thanks to the “Acqua Viva 04/UCr/13157/2026” project, funded by AICS Kiev, and represents a further step in supporting Ukrainian civilian communities that continue to face the daily consequences of the conflict. POBIC’s commitment to standing alongside war-affected communities. In areas where access to basic necessities can become extremely difficult, collaboration between local workers, humanitarian organizations, and international partners ensures the continuity of aid and tangible support for the most vulnerable people. Through initiatives like this, POBIC continues to support humanitarian assistance efforts aimed at populations affected by the war, contributing to the distribution of essential goods and providing support to the most vulnerable segments of the civilian population. In situations of forced displacement, access to personal hygiene products is an essential need that is often underestimated. Soap, detergents, personal care products, and other everyday items help not only prevent health problems but also preserve the dignity and well-being of people living in particularly vulnerable conditions. THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, WE SAVE THE LIVES OF DOZENS OF CHILDREN EVERY YEAR. HELP US DO EVEN MORE. Countries 0 Children operated on 0 Children examined 0 +

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May 9

Jeremiah and Perl, two new lives saved thanks to the POBIC solidarity network

Jeremiah and Perl: Two More Lives Saved Thanks to Pobic’s Network of Solidarity Jeremiah and Perl: Two Children Who Underwent Heart Surgery Thanks to Pobic Jeremiah and Perl are two children who arrived from Uganda with a concrete hope: to receive the treatment they needed to address a serious heart condition. Thanks to POBIC’s efforts, both underwent heart surgery in Italy and today stand as a new testament to what solidarity can achieve when it translates into organization, care, and continuity. Their stories are not isolated incidents. Jeremiah and Perl are, in fact, the 97th and 98th children accompanied by POBIC on a life-saving treatment journey. This milestone reflects years of work, international partnerships, collaboration with specialized healthcare facilities, and a constant presence alongside the children and their families. In total, throughout its history, POBIC has supported 423 children: a number that concretely illustrates the depth of a commitment built over time. Solidarity Donation Boxes in Verona: 1,000 Business Owners Supporting POBIC Behind every surgery, there is more than just an operating room. There is a network of people, communities, and small daily gestures that, over time, make something extraordinary possible. A key role is also played by the approximately 1,000 Verona business owners who, for twenty years, have hosted POBIC’s donation boxes. Bars, shops, and local businesses thus become vibrant hubs of widespread solidarity—places where even a small contribution can turn into something enormous: a trip, a surgical procedure, a new chance at life. It is precisely this quiet and tangible network that makes POBIC’s work possible. Solidarity, when shared and nurtured over time, ceases to be an abstract concept and becomes a force capable of transcending borders, distances, and difficulties. https://www.pobic.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/h264_yuv420p_858_480_25_1300_aac_64_48000_2.mp4 Thoughts and Colors: Teaching Solidarity in Schools Alongside its healthcare efforts, POBIC continues to promote educational programs on solidarity aimed at the younger generation. The “Thoughts and Colors” project is part of this effort—an educational contest for schools that invites children and teens to express, through drawing, values such as mutual aid, happiness, and caring for others. The connection between the stories of Geremia and Perla and the involvement of schools makes POBIC’s mission even clearer: not only to intervene where there is an urgent need for care, but also to help build a culture of solidarity capable of growing over time and engaging communities, families, students, and local areas. Because saving a life also means teaching compassion. And every gesture, even the smallest one, can become part of a bigger story. THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, WE SAVE THE LIVES OF DOZENS OF CHILDREN EVERY YEAR. HELP US DO EVEN MORE. Countries 0 Children operated on 0 Children examined 0 +

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February 18

A fragile heart, an urgent surgery: Jeremiah needs us.

A fragile heart, an urgent surgery: Jeremiah needs us. Jeremiah is 11 years old and has lived with a congenital heart defect since birth—a condition that would have required surgery during his early years. Unfortunately, that window of opportunity was missed. Last week, we welcomed him at Linate Airport. It was a long-awaited moment, carefully planned. But when we met him, his condition immediately concerned us. It was no longer a time for waiting. It was time to act. Within a few hours, a decision critical to his life was made: an urgent transfer to Gaslini Hospital in Genoa. Jeremiah was urgently transferred to Gaslini Hospital, a national and international center of excellence for pediatric cardiology. There, he was immediately taken under care and admitted. The situation remains delicate, but as of today, Jeremiah is being cared for by an expert team that is monitoring every parameter with care and attention. In moments like these, it’s not just the diagnoses that matter. What matters is the speed of decision-making, the expertise of the professionals, and the ability to activate an effective care network. Pediatric Cardiology and Preoperative Evaluations In the coming days, Jeremiah will undergo all the necessary preoperative evaluations to determine the procedure and timing of the surgery. Each test helps to precisely define the clinical picture, reduce risks, and establish the safest possible treatment plan. POBIC will be by his side at every stage of this journey: during checkups, while waiting for surgery, and during the post-operative period. Being there doesn’t just mean organizing a medical trip. It means accompanying a child through one of the most vulnerable moments of his life. Solidarity and international healthcare cooperation: a story yet to be written Thanks to the support of those who believe in international healthcare cooperation, a child who, until just a few days ago, had no access to specialized care is now being treated at one of Europe’s leading pediatric centers. Every mission is more than just a medical procedure. It’s a bridge between countries, expertise, and people. Jeremiah is no longer alone. And this is the first, crucial step. THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, WE SAVE THE LIVES OF DOZENS OF CHILDREN EVERY YEAR. HELP US DO EVEN MORE. Countries 0 Children operated on 0 Children examined 0 +

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February 18

Congolese Refugees in Uganda: Analysis of Humanitarian Needs in Refugee Settlements

Congolese Refugees in Uganda: Needs Assessment in Refugee Camps In the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the provinces of North and South Kivu have been experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis for years, caused by a protracted armed conflict and the advance of the M23 rebel group. The situation has worsened further in recent years, with an intensification of fighting between the M23 and Congolese government forces, particularly in the Rutshuru and Lubero areas of North Kivu, extending as far as the border regions with South Kivu. This escalation of violence has caused one of the largest population displacements in Africa, with thousands of people forced to flee their homes to escape the fighting, endure violence, and face daily insecurity. The Collaboration Between POBIC Uganda and Oxfam Uganda The crisis has exacerbated the vulnerability of local communities, worsening difficulties in accessing basic services, fueling food insecurity, and placing significant strain on humanitarian assistance systems. It is within this context that POBIC Uganda and Oxfam Uganda conducted a needs assessment aimed at gaining a firsthand understanding of the living conditions of Congolese refugees and host communities in Uganda. Rapid Needs Assessments in Major Refugee Settlements. The initiative involves conducting Rapid Needs Assessments in Uganda’s major refugee settlements, with the goal of gaining a direct and structured understanding of the needs of refugees and host communities.  The initiative focuses on some of the country’s most significant refugee settlements, which collectively host over 371,000 refugees, broken down as follows: 1) 150,000 refugees in the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement 2) approximately 129,000 refugees in the Kyaka II Refugee Settlement 3) 92,000 refugees in the Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement. Approximately 60% of the refugee population is under 18 years of age. Through direct meetings with refugees and local stakeholders, the joint work of POBIC Uganda and Oxfam Uganda aims to gather qualitative and quantitative information on: living conditions in the camps and surrounding areas; challenges related to social and economic integration; access to essential public services; challenges shared by refugees and host communities. The needs assessment goes beyond identifying immediate emergencies; it builds a solid foundation for sustainable and inclusive interventions capable of addressing the needs of all stakeholders involved. Strengthening public services and social cohesion. One of the central objectives of the collaboration is to improve public services, both for refugee populations and for the Ugandan communities hosting them. In contexts characterized by high pressure on services, working in an integrated manner is essential to: reduce the risk of social tensions; foster peaceful coexistence; and promote models of shared local development. Rapid Needs Assessment activities therefore represent a key step in guiding future humanitarian and development actions, based on real data and on listening to the people directly involved. A long-term commitment on the ground. The collaboration between POBIC Uganda and Oxfam Uganda underscores the importance of a participatory and community-based approach, in which needs assessment becomes a practical tool for developing more effective, equitable, and sustainable responses to the challenges posed by humanitarian crises.

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February 3

Thoughts and Colors: a creative competition for schools that talks about solidarity

Thoughts and Colors: A Creative Contest for Schools That Celebrates Solidarity. Thoughts and Colors is an educational project for schools that invites children to express, through drawing, an idea of solidarity, happiness, or collaboration. It’s an opportunity to turn a drawing into a message and transform children’s creativity into a gesture of solidarity.   The selected drawings will feature on the official POBIC 2026 T-shirt, turning creativity into a tangible symbol of social commitment. How the Contest Works The “Thoughts and Colors” contest is a creative contest for schools, open to classes that decide to participate through their school. In summary: children create a drawing on the theme of solidarity; the entries are submitted to POBIC according to the procedures outlined in the rules; the drawings are published on POBIC’s official channels; and online voting begins. Each drawing is signed by the artist and is recognizable, precisely because it is intended to be shared and voted on. The online voting phase: how it works and why it’s so important. Starting March 16, 2026, the online voting phase of the “Pensieri e Colori” contest will officially begin. Starting on that date, a page dedicated to voter registration will be active: once registered, users will be redirected to a Facebook group dedicated to the contest, created specifically to host the voting. Within the group, users will be able to: view all the drawings in the contest; find the entries organized by participating classes and schools; and cast their vote in a simple and transparent way. Voting will remain open until May 10, 2026. A vote that counts double: involving families and friends The voting phase is one of the most significant moments of the project, because it transforms the contest into a collective and shared experience. Parents, family members, friends, and acquaintances are invited to participate actively: by voting on the drawings, sharing the project, and supporting the message of solidarity expressed by the children. Every vote is a concrete gesture of support for creativity, the school’s educational commitment, and the values that “Pensieri e Colori” aims to convey. Participating in the voting means valuing the children’s work and amplifying the message they have chosen to share. What Happens After Voting? At the end of online voting on May 10, 2026, the three drawings with the most votes from each school will advance to the next phase of the contest, moving closer to the final selection and the awards ceremony. Voting is therefore not just a technical step, but a key moment that can make all the difference. From Voting to the Final Awards Ceremony The best entries will be: collected in their original form and displayed during the POBIC National Festival; evaluated by a selected jury. The winning design will be printed on the official POBIC 2026 T-shirt. The school of the winning class will also receive a donation of 1,000 euros, to be used at its discretion for educational projects. Cast your vote starting March 16, 2026. Download the rules

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January 5

POBIC on two fronts: excellence in sports integration in Mantua and health mission in Nigeria

POBIC on Two Fronts: Excellence in Sports Inclusion in Mantua and a Healthcare Mission in Nigeria Organizing a top-tier sporting event to promote inclusion while simultaneously launching a life-saving healthcare project in Africa. POBIC demonstrates that its commitment to inclusion knows no boundaries and allows for no half-measures. An extraordinary event that sets an example On Sunday, December 18, Mantua’s swimming pools hosted the third edition of an event that has become a benchmark for inclusive sports in the region: the Inclusive Water Polo and Swimming Trophy organized by US Acli. The event brought together the region’s top sports teams—Andes H, Virgiliana Mantova, and Pallanuoto Verona—for a day that successfully combined competition, inclusion, and fair play. But it was more than just a sports event. The event served as a true model of how sports can break down barriers and build communities. The two water polo teams from Polisportiva Andes H competed alongside athletes from Virgiliana Mantova in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and participation that engaged not only the athletes but also the many spectators in attendance.   The day saw the participation of prominent figures from the worlds of sports and government: Presidents A and B of US Acli; the leadership of Polisportiva Andes H, with captain Andrea Barbi on defense and Elena Scartezzini and Jenny Schwanius on offense; and top-level swimming coaches such as Marley Bianchi. Also present were Davide Norea, Diego Corradi, Alberto Cotti, and Viola Pilati from Virgiliana, offering a concrete demonstration of how integration in sports is possible when there is commitment, expertise, and passion.   POBIC’s Role in the Organization Elena Nolli, of the POBIC Foundation, played a crucial role in coordinating the event. Together with figures such as Stefano Pilati and Umberto Nolli, Elena helped make possible an event that saw the participation of over 20 young people from Virgiliana Mantova and swimmers from Tazio in Bagnolo San Vito. The awards ceremony recognized all the key participants: Davide Sarassi, winner of the swimming events; Andrea Barbi; Stefano Pilati; Viola Pilati; Osama Bassiouni; and Claudio Zigorani. A rising star, Marta Bonetti, stood out on the Open H team. Otto Bio of Tazio di Bagnolo San Vito claimed the title in the running race. POBIC was not merely a sponsor. The organization, through Giancarlo Nolli (head of international solidarity projects) and his daughter Elena (a member of the coordinating committee), invested energy, expertise, and resources to make this event a success. An event that cemented the friendship between various members of the Mantua and Verona sports communities, creating a model for integration through sports that has already set the goal of being replicated with enthusiasm and discipline next year as well. At the same time, thousands of kilometers away… And just as Mantua was celebrating this extraordinary day of inclusive sports, POBIC was carrying out another chapter of its mission: the international one. A few weeks before the Mantua event, representatives of the foundation were in Lagos, Nigeria, to launch a partnership destined to change the lives of hundreds of children.   The meeting with the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria marks the beginning of an ambitious project rooted in POBIC’s established expertise in Africa. For while in Mantua, inclusion takes place in the lanes of the pool and through the excitement of the races, in Nigeria, inclusion means something even more urgent: access to life-saving care.   In Nigeria, one case of Down syndrome is recorded for every 865 live births. Many of these children are born with congenital heart defects that require immediate surgery. The problem is dire: heart surgery can cost over 10 million naira, a sum that is completely out of reach for the vast majority of Nigerian families. Without that surgery, many of these children will not survive.   Nike Denis, national director of the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, highlighted the country’s two main challenges: stigmatization and exclusion from the healthcare system. Many parents hide their children with Down syndrome for fear of discrimination, while the local healthcare system lacks the resources to provide the necessary care.   Read the full article here. POBIC’s Experience That Makes a Difference POBIC is no newcomer to Nigeria. The foundation has been operating in the country since 2015, when it conducted its first training sessions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation for doctors at the Federal Medical Center in Yenagoa. Over the years, through its “Open Heart” projects, POBIC has facilitated surgical procedures for Nigerian children at leading Italian hospitals such as the Gaslini in Genoa, building a network of medical expertise and international relationships that today represents a valuable asset.   The collaboration with the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria is the natural evolution of this decade-long commitment. POBIC brings its cardiac surgery expertise and established healthcare networks to the field, integrating them with the Nigerian foundation’s in-depth knowledge of the local context. The goal is to dramatically improve access to specialized medical care for people with Down syndrome in Nigeria, with a particular focus on cardiac emergencies. According to experts, life expectancy for people with Down syndrome in Africa is beginning to rise thanks to advances in access to healthcare. But there is still a long way to go. Priorities include early diagnosis, timely treatment, inclusive education, and awareness programs that change cultural perceptions of disability.   Two Projects, One Vision Organizing a premier sporting event like the Mantua Trophy and launching a life-saving healthcare project in Nigeria may seem like two separate missions. In reality, they are two sides of the same coin: POBIC’s total commitment to the integration and inclusion of people with disabilities.   In Mantua, POBIC works to build a culture of inclusive sports that serves as a model and inspiration for other communities. An event that is not just a festival and celebration, but a means of building networks, skills, and, above all, community. It is an investment in the future of young athletes who, together, learn that differences are a source of richness and that sports belong to everyone.

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