Boa Vista
Spirit
Discover the first KLABU clubhouse in South America - unlocking the power and joy of sport for indigenous Venezuelan refugees who are rebuilding their lives in Boa Vista, Brazil.
The clubhouse is located in Boa Vista near the border with Venezuela.
The Clubhouse stands in the Tuaranoko Refugee shelter, where sport means everything in a place with few other opportunities.
The Waraotuma a Tuaranoko shelter in the North of Brazil is a temporary home for indigenous Venezuelans, who have to flee their country.
With close to 1,500 Venezuelans from indigenous groups like the Warao, Pemon, Kariña, E’ñepa, or Wayúu Waraotuma a Tuaranoko is the largest shelter for indigenous refugees and migrants in Latin America. It was established in the beginning of 2022 as a response to the increased influx of refugees due to the ongoing socioeconomic crisis in Venezuela, where people are forced to flee crime, violence, and inflation.
In Waraotuma a Tuaranoko the KLABU clubhouse serves as a focal point for unity, empowerment, and community engagement. Much like the vibrant communities in the shelter, the space is dedicated to fostering connections, promoting self-reliance, and celebrating the transformative power of sports.
Joy and celebration as children at the Tuaranoko shelter open their new clubhouse.
Thiago, our local Project Officer and Clubhouse Manager trains a rotating team of community volunteers.
The clubhouse is powered by community members themselves, guided by our local Project Officer Thiago. Together, they run the sports library, organise inclusive events and take the lead in shaping the project’s future.
Because of the shelter’s regulations, residents cannot be formally employed to run their own Clubhouse, unlike in other KLABU projects. Instead, a rotating team of volunteers leads the activities, forming the heart of the Clubhouse.
With the guidance of Thiago and support of our local project partner AVSI Brasil, volunteers receive training in organising inclusive activities, using digital tools to monitor impact, and developing key life skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership.
For many, this experience goes far beyond the pitch. Volunteers gain confidence, purpose, and new opportunities – just like Señor Hermes, who shared that his time with KLABU helped him find work in Boa Vista. Together, they keep the spirit of the Clubhouse alive, making it not only a space to play, but also a place to learn, grow, and dream.
Every high five is a celebration – of young girls finding strength, confidence and friendship through sport
Just like Brazilians, almost everyone in the shelter is football-crazy.
Running is especially popular amongst the young girls in the shelter.
A GAME OF TABLE TENNIS IN THE WARM EVENING SUN IN THE WARAOTUMA A TUARANOKO SHELTER.
That feeling when you put on the shirt…
…and are the first one to cross the finish line
Children at the festive inauguration of the clubhouse.
A rotating team of community volunteers, like Divennys, manages the sports library of the clubhouse.
Orange has quickly become the fovourite colour of the community.
Members from UNHCR, AVSI and KLABU during the set up of the clubhouse.
"As a woman and mother of three kids, I immediately felt included. Seeing other mothers playing volleyball encouraged me to join as well!"
The project aims to support mental health, boost self-reliance and enable smoother integration and inclusion for Venezuelans in their new home, Brazil.
At its heart, the Boa Vista Spirit shares the same mission as every KLABU project: to help refugees cope — by building resilience and unlocking their potential even in the toughest situations — and to connect — by fostering understanding, acceptance, and genuine integration with the host community.
In Boa Vista, sport plays a vital role in supporting the mental health and well-being of the indigenous Venezuelan population, who often stay much longer in shelters like Waraotuma a Tuaranoko due to the greater challenges they face in integrating. Many also experience deep social and economic marginalisation, which fuels frustration both within the community and among local Brazilians.
By giving them the keys to their own clubhouse, we strengthen their autonomy, agency and sense of ownership. Since the launch of the project, we’ve also taken part in local events like city runs and organised tournaments with other shelters across Boa Vista — creating opportunities for people to meet, make new friends, and build bridges between newcomers and locals.
Through sport, we connect newly arrived Venezuelans with local Brazilians, paving the way for peaceful coexistence. And the skills learned at the KLABU, along with access to its facilities, can help residents integrate, open doors to new opportunities beyond the shelter, and build a more independent future.
Clubhouse agenda
At the Boa Vista clubhouse, everyone is welcome to come and join our weekly workouts and social activities.
Monday
17 August ’26
16:00 to 17:00
Community Volleyball
All ages and identities welcome.
Thursday
20 August ’26
16:00 – 17:00
CrossFit
Become the fittest person in Boa Vista!
Friday
21 August ’26
16:00 - 17:00
Friday Football
Everyone welcome.
The Boa Vista Spirit running team at a local city run, connecting locals and newcomers
Happy goal celebrations at a futsal tournament
Bringing the community together during Outubro Rosa – workshops and activities to raise awareness around breast cancer.
All smiles when scoring the winning goal for your team
Proudly posing for a team photo at our annual World Refugee Week tournament in June
Impact so far
- Since the clubhouse opened its doors, it's become the heartbeat of play and community life at the Tuaranoko shelter. The residents run the show: activities are dreamed up together with the Aidamos, community leaders who meet regularly to steer the project. Our Project Officer Marvin not only works with the community but is part of its Aidamos leadership too - that's how much trust has been built.
- On average, 1,800 participants show up each week for football, volleyball, running, yoga, board games, and even a round of pelotica de goma, a popular Venezuelan street game played with a small rubber ball and a broomstick bat.
- Nearly half of the clubhouse members (45.5%) are women, girls, or part of the LGBTQ+ community.
- The clubhouse is not just about sports: think workshops on LGBTQ+ rights, conversations on men's mental health through nuevas masculinidades, and fashion shows put together by Paola.
- We've teamed up with neighbouring shelters for futsal and volleyball tournaments, and joined local runs where refugees and Brazilians hit the pavement side by side - building friendships and breaking down barriers.
- Honestly, there's something for everyone: futsal, volleyball, running, bingo afternoons for the elders, domino showdowns, and even baby races! Because apparently you're never too young to catch the sports bug.
"Sports knows no age. I am speaking from experience. When we unite on the pitch everyone is the same age."
The project is proudly supported by a donation of running shoes by On – Vidalina loves them
Clubpartners
Boa Vista Spirit is supported by these great organisations and individuals.
And our other valued partners & supporters:
Join the KLABU
By wearing KLABU, you join our club and support sports projects in refugee camps.
