Roxanne ‘Rocky’ Hehakaija (Director Favela Street)
The Dutch Roxanne Hehakaija, better known as Rocky, is the director of the Favela Street Foundation. She is a familiar face in the international street football world. With her own character in the FIFA20 Volta Legends team she breaks boundaries. The sport flows like blood through her veins.
With Favela Street she created a personal development program that trains young people to become role models through street football. Based on the philosophy: “if you get the best out of yourself, you can make a positive difference in your community.”
“When something is said to you often enough, you start to believe it. Many young people have not heard often enough that they are superheroes.”
After years of working with young people from all over – from slums to schools and juvenile detention centers – she wrote the Favela Street methodology together with researcher specialized in self regulation and sport psychology Laura Jonker. A scientifically based and measurable program that tackles social exclusion with cognitive behavioral techniques, with continuous attention for the belief in one’s own abilities.
Rocky also gives masterclasses “Turn your skills into value”. The British broadcaster included her on the BBC’s 100 Women in 2017 and she received a nomination for “World’s Most Innovative Women” alongside Michelle Obama and peace activist Zahra “Langhi” in 2020.
More about Rocky.
Houda Loukili (Trainer Favela Street)
Former Dutch kickboxing champion Houda Loukili is trainer and runs the Favela Street Connect program for girls with a migrant background and for young status holders in Amsterdam West. She is specialized in coaching kids and girls. She uses kickboxing as a tool to teach kids and young people about perseverance, self reflection and goal setting. With her social pedagogical background and her experiences as a top athlete she is a role model and experienced trainer and speaker, that gets the best out of anybody.
More about Houda.
