Empowering children for a brighter future
MANILA, Philippines - Virlanie street children and the Azkals faced off against each other in friendly football matches on a recent fun-filled day which saw the Azkals-Global Football Clu(FC), Futkaleros FC, Payatas FC, Corinthians FC, Nomads FC, andAziitsorog FC participating in a day-long activity to promote health and wellness in celebration of Children’s Month. Fourteen mini-football teams played against each other during the event that took place at the Corinthian Gardens football field in Quezon City.
“When street children are first welcomed to Virlanie, they sometimes have difficulties adjusting to living in settings where there are rules,” says Ayna Jhocson, manager of Virlanie’s Integrated Education Support Program. “Sports is a key element in helping them adapt to this new environment and to facilitate their reintegration into society.”
During the tournament, the children were coached by professional football players including Paul Kiyek and Jerome Etounde of Internationale FC and Ayi Nii Aryee and Carlos Ange Tresor Guisso of Global FC Azkals playes Misagh Bahadoran and Nate Burkey also dropped by to cheer on the kids.
In addition to promoting the physical well-being of children, Virlanie hosted the event to teach kids the many values one can gain through sports. Sportsmanship, respect for the rules and for others, discipline, team spirit, perseverance, fairness, and honesty — these are just some of the ideals that the organization hoped to develop in the children through the games.
“We believe that the values one can learn through sports can be adapted to real life. Sports and arts are fun and effective ways of teaching children,” says Jhocson. “These two concepts drive the work of Virlanie’s Sibuhi Center.”
Virlanie Foundation is a child-caring institution that works to empower children for a brighter future. It takes care of and looks after children in need of special protection. Its goal is to extend development services to children — allowing them to become self-reliant, productive, and independent individuals — using a family atmosphere and reintegrating them into normal community life.
To find out more about Virlanie Foundation and how you can participate in the “Rise Up for Street Children” campaign, visit www.virlanie.or or call 895-3460, fax 895-5232; e-mail frcom2@virlanie.org.
