Younghusbands, ILO show red card to child labor

It’s a sight to behold. Over 190 kids from ages 12-17 playing football. Of course, there are other venues where you’ll literally have larger numbers.

What made Tuesday, Sept. 17, special was it is a day that gives these kids from Metro Manila, Cavite, and Batangas hope that attention will be called to their plight.

The thing about the kids taking part in the Lakas Sipa para sa Batang Malaya is that they are all victims of child labor. These are kids who have been cast out on the streets, have run away from home because of child abuse, or have been simply born on the street because their families could not afford to go to the hospital. To put some food in their stomachs they have been forced to do work in the poorest if not dehumanizing conditions.

I spotted Coach Jess Landagan who I first met during the first Homeless World Cup Team put together by himself and Ed Formoso. For Landagan, using football as a means to combat poverty and to provide kids with an opportunity to get to school has been a calling.

He’s happy that The Younghusband Football Academy is working with these children through the International Labour Organization. “Because of who they are, they can get people to take notice of the plight of these children.”

And the brothers believe so. Added James, “It’s so important the ILO event because people need to be aware of what these kids are going through and how we can all get together and put a stop to it. We are privileged that TYFA was given the opportunity to be part of something to make the lives of these kids easier. To some football can be a path to a better future.”

Said Phil, “If we (TYFA) can help, why not? It’s a responsibility that we all share. I agree, we have to show a red card to child labor.”

TYFA Director Cathy Nazareno bared that the Tuesday event isn’t a one-shot. “We (along with ILO) are in the process of planning on ways and means in which we can use football as a platform for these kids to get an education and a future. Our next event will be on October 17 but the more concrete plans are in the works.”

Helping out with the Lakas Sipa para sa Batang Malaya Chad Gould, Nate Burkey, and Jonah Romero.

Burkey was recently named as Technical Director for The Younghusband Football Academy. “I am happy to be a part of TYFA,” said Burkey, who will not be suiting up for Pachanga in the upcoming UFL season after spending the last two years with Kaya. “Anytime you can give back to the game is good. It also opens up a lot of opportunities not just for me but also these kids. So I am happy to be a part of all of this.”

Sponsors of the Lakas Sipa para sa Batang Malaya include ABS-CBN, Landbank of the Philippines, Consuelo Foundation, Dole Philippines, SM Cares, SM Supermalls, Accel, Globe, Molten, Kettle Foods Corporation, St. Luke’s Medical Center, United Football League, Gatorade, St. Scholastica Academy, DMCI Homes, UP Alpha Sigma Fraternity, International School Manila, San Miguel Foundation, Megaworld and LGU Taguig.