Camino Primitivo Expedition: Steps that tell a bigger story
Twenty-seven participants have completed the SiGMA Foundation’s first Camino Primitivo adventure expedition after walking 100 kilometres across northern Spain over five days in support of clean water systems in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala.
Organised by the SiGMA Foundation and sponsored by Focus Gaming News, the expedition followed one of Spain’s oldest pilgrimage routes and ended at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. There, the group received their official Compostela certificates after a demanding journey shaped by endurance, teamwork and a shared humanitarian goal.
Steps towards Santiago
The Camino Primitivo took participants through the Galician countryside across steep climbs, rural paths and long walking days. For the SiGMA Foundation, this was the first completed expedition on the route and a meaningful addition to its growing programme of charity-driven challenges.
The group brought together 27 people from across the industry, each of whom helped raise funds for the Foundation’s clean water initiative in Guatemala. The project will support communities in Puerto Barrios by providing clean, safe water systems that address one of the most basic needs of local families.
Robert Dowling, CEO of Fluid Gaming, described the expedition as a challenge he had long wanted to take on while quietly questioning whether he had “completely lost my mind.” He said the build-up across Malta and Gozo had already created a sense of journey before the team even reached Spain.
“Walking into Santiago as a team was incredible. Emotional, exhausting, slightly surreal and absolutely unforgettable,” he said. He added that the Camino Primitivo was “a real pilgrimage” and proof that some challenges people think they cannot do are exactly the ones they need to face.
Bigger purpose in Guatemala
The expedition linked every step in Spain to a direct impact in Guatemala. Over five days, the group walked knowing their effort would support clean water systems for communities in Puerto Barrios, where safe water access can have a lasting effect on health, dignity and daily life.
Milla Borg Grech, Sales Executive at Panta Ltd, said walking the Camino for the first time had been “a truly wonderful experience.” She pointed to the scenic routes, the group spirit and the shared cause as the elements that made the journey especially memorable.
“One of the highlights has been meeting such a diverse and lovely group of people all coming together to walk the same path in support of a shared cause” she said. “It’s been incredibly inspiring to see everyone’s dedication to the foundation. I have a strong feeling this won’t be my last Camino.”
The finish at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela gave the expedition a powerful closing moment. The certificates marked the completion of the route while the funds raised pointed to the wider reason behind the walk. The journey ended in Spain but its purpose continues in Guatemala.
Story strengthened by partnership
Focus Gaming News supported the expedition as a sponsor and continued a long-standing relationship with SiGMA across both conference and foundation initiatives. Fernando Saffores, Founder and CEO of Focus Gaming News, described the partnership with SiGMA as “one of mutual growth and a shared vision for the industry’s future.”
Saffores said the connection had grown from media coverage of global events into active collaboration around the Foundation’s social mission. He said Focus Gaming News sees SiGMA as more than an event organiser and views the relationship as part of building a more responsible and connected global community.
Speaking about purpose-led engagement within the gaming and media ecosystem, Saffores said companies have a responsibility beyond reporting headlines or analysing trends. “True leadership is about using your platform to pave the way for ethical initiatives”, he said.
He also reflected on the SiGMA Foundation team and the participants who completed the route. “Thank you for your tireless dedication and for providing the industry with a platform to be better”, he said. To the walkers, he added that their physical effort was a powerful sign of industry solidarity and said Focus Gaming News was proud to amplify the journey.
Looking ahead, Saffores said there is strong potential for deeper collaboration as Focus Gaming News expands its global footprint and launches new regional verticals. He said the ambition is to move towards active philanthropy where readers, partners and industry voices become part of the Foundation’s mission.
The Camino Primitivo expedition has shown what can happen when a demanding route becomes a channel for practical change. With 27 participants, 100 kilometres, five days on the trail, and clean water at its heart, the SiGMA Foundation has completed a journey that tells a bigger story.
Explore the SiGMA Foundation’s upcoming projects and discover how its global initiatives continue to support communities through education, health, clean water and social development.
