About Us
The Wilson Favela Project is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We provide opportunities for talented individuals in the impoverished favelas of Brazil. Through our partnership with local Bahia club SC Camaçariense, we are able to help talented soccer players gain notoriety via tournaments held in the favelas and attended by scouts from across the country. Our facilities offer housing, food, and educational programs, so that those in need – in these culturally diverse epicenters – can optimize their various skillsets. We believe that no talent should go unfound due to a lack of opportunity and resource.
Our History
Our passion for the favela is derived from our interpersonal experiences and first-hand accounts of just how much can be done to better the lives of so many. Thanks to the vision of our founder, Wilson Egidio, we are driving change in these areas. Coach Wilson grew up in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where he began his playing career with his hometown club Vila Nova AC of the Brazilian 1st Division. He would go on to play for Santos FC before moving to New York City in 1980 to join New York United in the American Soccer League. In the cultural melting pot of New York, Wilson was able to share his Brazilian soccer methods with young men and women from around the world. Wilson always encouraged his colleagues and players to travel to his homeland and experience Brazilian soul (“Ginga”) for themselves. Wilson became a beloved figure, embracing and taking in people from all walks of life to bond in a team setting in the name of soccer. Wilson’s career garnered international acclaim, Hall of Fame recognition, and national titles. Wilson’s impressive resumé pales in comparison to the lasting impact he has made on the lives of his players, who have fully embraced that at the heart of their accomplishments lies the passion and spirit of the favela, where style, diversity and accountability – no matter the circumstances – are pillars of success.
Our Mission
Our dedicated staff, volunteers, and partners in Brazil are entirely committed to helping others. We take our convictions and turn them into action by engaging our community to help drive our initiatives and affect change. We provide long lasting solutions and infrastructure to make dreams come true in the favela.