Written by Gonçalo Martins, GWMD coordinator at CASPAE
“It was such a happy day!” – Girl, 14 years old
03 July 2026, Aveiro (Portugal) — There are moments that begin long before they actually happen. Moments that are built through countless emails, meetings, permissions, logistics and careful planning. Every detail matters because, for the children and their families, this is much more than an event, it is an opportunity to simply be together.
Some days before the official game day, we met the fathers inside the prison. We spoke about the importance of play, about being present for their children and about how meaningful even a few hours together could be. Through their stories, we began to imagine the children we would soon meet. As the day approached, so did our sense of responsibility.
On the day of the Game With Mum & Dad event at Aveiro Prison, Portugal, there was a mixture of excitement and anticipation from the very beginning. Before the game started, we met once again with the imprisoned fathers, who were visibly emotional and eager to spend time with their children playing Korfball. We could sense how much this opportunity meant to them.
Korfball is a mixed-gender team sport that blends elements of basketball and netball. Teams consist of four men and four women and the main objective is to throw a ball through a bottomless basket (the “korf”) mounted on a 3.5 meter high pole.
As the children arrived with their family members, many were naturally shy and curious about the environment. We welcomed them with simple activities and conversations, giving them time to feel at ease before the reunion. Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: the fathers and children saw each other again.
No matter how many times you witness it, nothing prepares you for that moment. Smiles instantly appeared, long hugs replaced the distance of previous months, and emotions filled the room. For a few hours, the prison setting faded into the background. Fathers and children laughed together, played as a team, encouraged one another and simply enjoyed being together.
Watching families interact through play was a powerful reminder that meaningful relationships can be nurtured even in challenging circumstances. One child proudly told us, “I’d never played this game before, but my dad helped me.” Another shared, “A year later, I was finally able to play with my dad again.” These words perfectly captured what the day was about: creating joyful memories, strengthening family bonds and giving children the opportunity to experience their parent not as someone behind prison walls, but as their mum or dad.
As the event came to an end, it was clear that everyone was leaving with something valuable—new memories, renewed connections and hope. Days like this remind us why Game With Mum & Dad is so important: it creates safe and meaningful opportunities for children and imprisoned parents to reconnect, while promoting every child’s right to maintain positive family relationships.
