The players of Team Philippines to the Homeless World Cup have proven themselves that they not only have the skills to play, compete, and excel; they also have a testimony to share. The way their lives were changed because of a once in a lifetime opportunity given to them also triggered their passion to help change the lives of others, especially among the youth.
Mark Rosales, part of the team who went to Milan in 2009 has been teaching the love and discipline of soccer to the troubled youth of Boys Town Center. It is also true with the Pasion twins Abdula and Hammid of the 2010 squad who went to Brazil; the dynamic duo has been teaching soccer to their fellow marginalized boys in their hometown in Pagsanjan, Laguna. All of the 2010 players went to a community in Smokey Mountain to teach soccer to the kids being helped by Gawad Kalinga.
While most football clinics require fees, starting this March, the players of Team Philippines to the Homeless World Cup will be teaching soccer to 200 youth every weekend for free!
The “Street Soccer Shelter for Change Program” will pilot in ten communities in Quezon City. With the help and support of Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, we are proud to announce that Quezon City embraced this program and is now the new home of street soccer.
The youth that the players from the Homeless World Cup will be teaching came from disadvantaged families in Quezon City; and this activity promises to be fruitful as they will be in one “home field,” one team united, wherein both the players and the trainers can easily relate to each other as they came from the same background. They will get the chance to learn and enjoy the sport, in a country where it is usually played by the upper class of the society.Some snaps;
Complete album set. Taken last 12 March 2011 at Quezon City Memorial Circle.
