A day with the Filipino team in Durban

22 March 2010: Strelitzia School on the outskirts of Durban. The sun beats down on the Filipino team as they train. Tired and deflated, they have won South African hearts, but lost all their matches. 

But spirits are lifted as they head indoors to the shade, where they mix with local children for workshops and perform songs and dances for each other. When it’s time to say goodbye, Erica, the team captain, is surrounded by pupils asking her to sign their ties. 

Meeting Dalisay

Later, the momentum from the school pushes the team on to an amazing 6-2 victory against Brazil. Buoyed by the day we sit down to interview Erica and her team mate Dalisay. 

But my euphoria is soon crushed when 15-year-old Dalisay tells me about the abuse she had to endure at the hands of her stepfather. I feel devastated for her as this sweet young girl tells me she fled to the streets to escape from him.

I’ve been doing this job for nearly 20 years and feel lucky to meet so many extraordinary people and listen to the stories of their lives. But I can never get used to hearing the horrific things that happen to some children. 

Football power

When she finishes talking to me, I give her a hug and ask if she wants me to walk her to the chaperone, thinking she’ll need a bit of comforting. But she smiles and says no, she’s seen some of South African boys playing football nearby and wants to join them. 

I’m surprised but happy and remember her answer to my first question about how she feels when she plays football: 

“I feel that I can forget about all the horrible things in my past.”

I try to follow her example and move on to watch the next football match.