Philippines Team's Blog
Deloitte Street Child World Cup Diary : “About Berth”
Berth is a goal keeper. A pretty good one. He’s supposed to be 15 years old. Below is his story… an important part in the diary of our street children’s team that is participating in the Deloitte Street Child World Cup tournament in Durban, South Africa this coming March.
Berth’s case category is called ‘street child rescue’. In 2002, he was found walking around aimlessly somewhere in Manila and was picked up by an old lady who brought him to a center. He could have been anywhere from 8 to 10 years old then. He said he had ran away from home somewhere in Muntinlupa City because of maltreatment by his father. In 2005 he was taken back by a social worker to Muntinlupa City to try find his home. He couldn’t remember. The City landscape had changed with development since 2002. If he had wanted to see his folks, there was just no way he would have found them. And so he was brought back to the center. This is clearly a case of a ‘found’ boy who at his tender young age experienced separation from his parents.
Berth’s love of football got him sent by his center to the SCWC try-outs. He was chosen to be a part of the team because of his skills; and was being groomed to be the team captain of our 1st-ever Philippine Street Children team.
Everything was perfect until …. until, well, he needed his official birth certificate from the NSO records. To our shock and disbelief, his coach came back to us one day with terrible news. His official birth certificate stated that Berth was 18 years old and not 15 as listed in his records at the child center. And because of this, Berth was all of a sudden ‘not qualified’ for the tournament in South Africa. After all this time, Berth, our future team captain, the potential star of our team, and one of the most liked, is not traveling to South Africa as a member of the Philippine Team.
But….there is new light in the horizon because of this odd turn of events. Berth can now be possibly reunited with his family. He may have a chance to start all over again. Because of his newly found birth certificate, the center believes his parents will be found. And Berth might see them again after all these years. And perhaps, and hopefully, he’ll return home.
And so we thank God for football … for this time, although our country may have lost a star, we know our star player may have gained more with this development. Our role has become more than teaching street kids to kick that football around. There’s a gift of football that has come our way and we should all be joyful to give it to those for whom it is meant. This one was meant for Berth. For you and I, it could be something else.
For the story of our long lost street boy may have come to an end, not with a chance to save balls for his country, but with a chance to save his hope for a real family. Berth’s got another chance…Berth’s got another crack at taking in a real mother’s hug…the football will come in time. He’s only grade 6.
“For the love of the game, here’s to you, Berth!”
The 1st Philippine street children team is ever grateful to all it’s Ninongs and Ninangs: Danny Moran, Fern Pena, Monchu Garcia, Mike Camahort, Inaki Alvarez, Robs Delfino, Dicky and Cathy Rivilla, the Football Alliance group…(and we pray, many more).
“Thank you” to Maripaz Custodio, Darren Hartmann and Euro International School for allowing us to play tune up games with them and allowing us to participate in the Euro International School German Cup Festival last weekend at Nomads; Thanks to Marielle Benitez for making arrangements for the support of Bayanihan -the national dance company of the Philippines. And thanks again to Valerie for the funds raised by her church in the UK.
And “gracias, gracias” to our major sponsors: Amos Trust, the Angus Lawson Memorial Trust, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, Amici Pizza Pasta and The Henry V. Moran Foundation.
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Endorsements
- "I know from personal experience just what power football can have to inspire and change young people’s lives whatever their background or nationality. This is what the Deloitte Street Child World Cup is all about and I give it my full support."
David Beckham, AC Milan and England Midfielder - "No child should have to live on the streets. I commend the Street Child World Cup for providing a platform for the rights of street children to be heard."
Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister - "The Deloitte Street Child World Cup demonstrates the tremendous potential of every single child, and especially street children, who are so often treated as less than human. I am proud that the first ever Street Child World Cup will take place in South Africa – and I urge all governments to guarantee the rights of this most marginalised group of their citizens to lives in which their promise is fulfilled.Quot;
Archbishop Desmond Tutu - "When ever people come across me they laugh. It seems like my mouth is zipped because they talk for us. I wish they could give us a chance to talk for ourselves."
Mbali, 15, Durban - "When people see us by the streets, they say that we are the street boys. But when they see us playing soccer, they say that we are not the street boys. They say that we are people like them. They are people like us."
Andile, 15, Durban - "I experienced hardcore street life in my youth. I know what it’s like. I congratulate the Deloitte Street Child World Cup project in it’s commitment to bring attention to the plight of Street Children through the power of football."
Manny Pacquiao, Filipino professional boxer, current WBO World welterweight champion - "The Street Child World Cup hosted by Umthombo is a wonderful opportunity to hear the forgotten voices of Street Children – often marginalised, this is their time to be heard and to shine on the world stage. From the football field to governments across the world, this is a chance to celebrate the talent that every child has."
Thandie Newton, star of Crash and 2012 - "The Deloitte Street Child World Cup will use this game, which is loved all over the world, to help give kids a fairer deal. No child should have to be on the street."
Gary Lineker OBE, former Tottenham, Barcelona, and England Forward and BBC’s Match of the Day presenter - "I am delighted that the first Street Child World Cup will take place in South Africa where I know there is a huge passion for football. No child should have to live on the streets and and I fully endorse this campaign giving street children a voice to claim their rights."
Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Manager - "Football and footballers aren’t always in the headlines for the right reasons but the Deloitte Street Child World Cup harnesses the power of grassroots football to change vulnerable young peoples’ lives for the better across the world through the talent that they have. Good luck to all those taking part."
David Seaman, Former Arsenal and England Goalkeeper - "I’m delighted to endorse the Deloitte Street Child World Cup. This is a fantastic ground-breaking event, aiming to win rights for street children, not only in Durban but across South Africa – and even the world! I’m sure that every team will be a winner!"
Sir Cliff Richard - "I’ve played football as a teenager with the world watching me. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is a brilliant project which will help hundreds of thousands of teenagers who have been forced to live on the streets by getting the world to listen to them and give them a fair chance."
Theo Walcott, Arsenal and England Forward - "No child should have to be on the streets. I am proud to support the Ukrainian team at the Street Child World Cup. Street children need the chance to show the world their potential."
Andriy Shevchenko, Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine Captain - "It was a privilege to be invited to the launch of the Street Child World Cup at Downing Street. It gives children a voice through football, a platform to express their rights and celebrate their abilities – I’m proud to add my support."
Wilson Palacios, Tottenham and Honduras Midfielder - "Seeing young people enjoying the magic of football is what the game is all about and I feel honoured to be supporting the event for street children taking place in South Africa. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is a fantastic grassroots initiative giving a voice to street children through the positive power of football. It’s an example of football making headlines for the right reasons. Good luck to all those taking part!"
Eduardo, Arsenal and Croatia Forward - "I am proud that the first ever Deloitte Street Child World Cup will be held in my country in 2010. Football has the power to unite people from all over the world and gives young people the discipline and focus to let their true talent shine. No child should have to sleep on the street. I am delighted that the Deloitte Street Child World Cup will celebrate these children’s potential and call for their rights to be realised.Good luck to all the teams but especially the South African team Umthombo from Durban!"
Aaron Mokoena, Portsmouth Midfielder and South Africa’s Captain and most capped player - "The Football Association commends initiatives such as the Deloitte Street Child World Championships which use the power of football to make a difference to people’s lives"
Lord David Triesman, F.A. Chairman - "The Street Child World Cup is a superb campaign, bringing to attention the issues faced by some of the most vulnerable children in the world"
Edith Bowman, BBC Radio 1 - "My career is testament to the global village that football has become. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is a groundbreaking campaign highlighting the essential rights that all children must be given. From Montevideo via Brighton and down to Durban – let’s spread the word!"
Gus Poyet, former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Brighton and Hove Albion Manager - "South Africa 2012 will be watched by most of the World. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is the ultimate opportunity for us all to invest in the grassroots of football. Great campaign."
Sam Allardyce, Blackburn Rovers Manager - "The power of football in the community is undeniable and football is now a global community. I support the Deloitte Street Child World Cup in raising awareness and support through football for the most vulnerable in our community: street children"
Owen Coyle, Bolton Wanderers Manager - "Throughout my career I have been an advocate of community development through football and the Deloitte Street Child World Cup is an excellent example of uniting through football in support of young people across the World."
Alan Curbishley, Former Charlton and West Ham Manager
