Nine street children have nine different stories to tell but share one love for the sport of football.

The Philippines formed a group of nine street children who will take part in a very special World Cup tournament seeking to highlight the shocking poverty kids face on a daily basis.

Street children from India, South Africa, Tanzania, Brazil, Nicaragua, the United Kingdom and Ukraine will take the spotlight off football stars like David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo to take center stage during the first Deloitte Street Child World Cup on March 14 to 23 in Durban, South Africa.

Skipper Erica Mae Inocencio of Tuloy sa Don Bosco will lead an inspired roster of kids for Team Philippines which includes John Robert Gaerlan (defense), Ladylyn Ampe (striker), Noriel Pineones (midfield), Raymond Ilona (right wing), Jayson Simangan (defence), Roberto Orlandez, Jr. (goalie) and Lorelyn Cabanayan (striker) along with reserves Jonah Garrido and Gerry Boy Joaquino.

Life may have been difficult for these kids but the sport of football gave them a renewed sense of hope to take on its challenges.

For John Robert, also known as Blue Shark, football allowed him to reunite with his mother Erlinda, whom he has not seen for more than a year after he ran away from home.

“Nung nakasali na po ako sa team, pinahanap ko po yung nanay ko. Nakuha ni coach ‘yung number tapos pinuntahan niya sa pinagtatrabuhan niya. Pinapunta po sa Tuloy sa Don Bosco,” he said. (When I joined the team, I asked them to look for my mother. My coach finally got her contact number. He went to her workplace and there he found her. My coach asked her to visit me in Tuloy sa Don Bosco.)

Erica Mae, one of only three girls in the team, admits she is proud that a woman like her can lead the team.

“Hindi ko inexpect na makukuha ako dito para irepresent ang Philippines . . . Binago ng football ang buhay ko,” she said. (I did not expect that I will represent my country someday. Football changed my life.)

She does not know what the future holds for her but she wants to help other children learn the sport.

“Kung pwede wag na sana mahiwalay sa akin ang football. Gusto kong mag-spend ng time na magturo ng hindi nanghihingi ng kapalit dahil malaki ang naitulong sa akin ng football,” she said. (I want to teach other children to play the game without asking anything in return because it has helped me a lot.)

The final team was selected from among 200 players that participated in three Pinoy Futbol Festivals last year.

Accompanying the team, who is supported by Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, Angus Lawson Memorial Trust, Mitre, Whitehouse Scientific, Amos Trust and Amici pizza pasta, are team officials coach Jess Landagan, team manager Craig Burrows and social worker Marivi San Juan.

The first Philippine Street Children team is organized and co-managed by Burrows and Ed Formoso under the auspices of The Henry V. Moran Foundation.
KRISTA ANGELA M. MONTEALEGRE