In a world where news is usually dominated by conflicts, crisis and controversies, from time to time a story that restores faith in humanity emerges. This is one of those stories: Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, two of the most admired players on the planet, have joined their hearts and resources to finance with 175 million euros a resettlement village in Colombia aimed at orphan children victims of the war on drugs. The village, baptized as ** ”White roots” **, is not only a shelter, but a symbol of hope, a place where children can find a home, heal wounds and build a future full of possibilities.
Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, companions for years at Real Madrid, have shown in the field that they are teachers in the art of creating opportunities where there seems to be. Outside the pitch, they have brought that same vision to a deeply human level. The idea of ”white roots” was born in a conversation between them during a charity to Latin America in 2023. When visiting communities affected by decades of violence related to drug trafficking, both were deeply moved by the stories of children who had lost their families and lived in conditions of extreme vulnerability.
“Seeing those children, with so much potential but without a place to grow safe, broke our hearts,” Kroos confessed in a recent interview. Modrić, on the other hand, added: “We knew we could do more than donate money. We wanted to create a place where they could take root, like trees that grow strong after the storm.”
“White roots” is not a traditional orphanage, but a community designed to offer an integral environment to more than 300 children. Located in a rural region of Antioquia, the village has modern houses, a school equipped with cutting -edge technology, a health center, areasdeportivesand artistic workshops. The name “White roots” is a powerful metaphor: the roots represent anchoring to a new home, while the white color symbolizes purity, peace and a blank canvas so that children write their own stories.
Every detail of the village has been carefully planned. Houses, designed by Colombian architects, combine sustainability and comfort, using local materials and renewable energies. The school offers a bilingual curriculum and technical training programs to prepare children for the future. In addition, psychologists and social workers are available to help children process trauma and recover self -confidence.
Since its inauguration just six months ago, “White roots” has already transformed lives. Children who previously lived in the streets or in temporary shelters now have a place they call home. Stories like Sofia, a 12 -year -old girl who lost her parents in a confrontation between armed groups, are testimony of change. “Here I feel sure. I can study, play football and dream about being a doctor,” he says with a shy smile.
The project has also generated an economic impact on the region. The construction of the village created hundreds of jobs, and daily operations use local teachers, doctors and artisans. Kroos and Modrić have insisted that “white roots” is not an isolated initiative, but a model that they hope to replicate in other parts of the world.
The generosity of Kroos and Modrić transcends football. Both have used their fame and resources not to seek recognition, but to illuminate a forgotten corner of the world. In a moving gesture, the main entrance of the village is decorated with a plaque that says: “That these white roots grow strong and reach the sky.” It is a reminder that, even in the darkest times, goodness can flourish.
“White roots” invites us to reflect on the power of empathy and collective action. Kroos and Modrić have not only given a home to hundreds of children, but have sown a seed of hope that inspires millions. In a world that often seems divided, its example reminds us that we can all contribute to building a more fair and bright future.
While the children of “white roots” run through the football fields, paint murals or study under the shadow of trees, it is clear that this village is much more than a project: it is a daily miracle, a moment of beauty that teaches us that love and solidarity always find a way of rebirth.
