Compton, Quebec. On July 5, Actions interculturelles de développement et d’éducation (AIDE) organized the Summer Soccer Tournament at the Récré-O-Parc de Compton. The event was held as part of the Ensemble on sème project, with the goal of promoting the well-being, integration, and social participation of Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs). The initiative was coordinated by Mohamed Soulami, Director of AIDE, Aura Maria Forero, Coordinator, and Said E. Beltrán, Project Officer, whose dedication played a key role in the success of the event.
More than 140 people took part in the tournament, including 121 Temporary Foreign Workers from 22 agricultural businesses across the region, who enjoyed a day of sports, community building, and intercultural exchange.
At InfoTET d’Immigrant Québec, we recognize the importance of initiatives like this, as they provide Temporary Foreign Workers with recreational opportunities that support their physical and emotional well-being, strengthen their support networks, and contribute to a more positive integration into their host communities.
The tournament brought together mainly workers from Guatemala and Mexico, two communities that play a vital role in Quebec’s agricultural sector. Through soccer—a sport deeply rooted in both countries—the participants enjoyed a day of friendly competition, teamwork, and meaningful intercultural connections.
Four teams competed throughout the tournament, demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship and teamwork:
🥇 First Place: Plantation Pinacle.
🥈 Second Place: Vallons Maraîchers.
🏅 Participation: Los Cannabis.
🏅 Participation: Magog.
The event also welcomed several public officials and organizations committed to supporting Temporary Foreign Workers. Among those in attendance were Marianne Dandurand, Member of Parliament; Nicolas Bellier, Project Director at InfoTET d’Immigrant Québec; Julissa Hengstenberg, Consul General of Guatemala; representatives of the Centre d’aide aux familles latino-américaines (CAFLA); and Jean-Pierre Charuest, Mayor of the City of Compton.
Their presence helped strengthen dialogue with the workers and highlighted the importance of collaboration among community organizations, government representatives, municipal authorities, and consular offices to continue developing initiatives that promote the integration and well-being of migrant workers.
The success of the event was made possible through the dedicated work of the Actions interculturelles de développement et d’éducation (AIDE) team and the support of numerous volunteers, who carefully coordinated every aspect of the tournament to provide a safe, well-organized, and welcoming experience.
Beyond the final scores, the tournament demonstrated the importance of creating spaces where Temporary Foreign Workers can meet, build new relationships, share experiences, and strengthen their sense of belonging. Initiatives like this are valuable tools for promoting social inclusion and recognizing the essential contribution that TFWs make every day to Quebec’s agricultural sector.
At InfoTET d’Immigrant Québec, we sincerely thank Actions interculturelles de développement et d’éducation (AIDE), Psychosocial Intervention Worker, and Eliana Jaramillo Restrepo, PSTM Coordinator, from the Centre d’aide aux familles latino-américaines (CAFLA); Julissa Hengstenberg from the Consulate General of Guatemala; as well as Jean-Pierre Charuest, Mayor of the Ville de Compton, the volunteers, the participating employers, and everyone who contributed to the success of this event. Through this collaboration, we reaffirm the importance of continuing to build more inclusive, supportive, and welcoming communities for temporary foreign workers across Quebec.
