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SOS Orphans find refuge in soccer

July 10, 2007

In the SOS village of Oberá, Argentina, the children’s meeting point is the village’s greenest areas, which happen to be their favorite place in the entire site. Here, the children gather regularly to indulge in a traditional game of soccer. Rest assured that for the past 26 years of the Obera village’s existence many village children have dreamt of becoming the next Maradona.

Don Marcos, who is in charge of maintenance, briefly comments on the history of football in the village: “Football has been played in the village since its early days - back in 1980 when the village premises were extended and the small football field was built. Since then, the children have always preferred to meet there.”

Soccer is the condoned after-responsibilities are taken care of-activity for most of the village children. The green areas where it is played are the community gathering places for the children and the sos workers and mothers as well. Soccer is a cultural celebration for most Argentinian towns, so it’s no wonder that it is so engrained into the culture of the villages. It is not only the children’s’ favorite sport, but their passion, and highlight of their days.

Maxi (age eight) is a good player. She says: “There is nothing like seeing a ball being pelted into the back of the net […] I like to watch [professional] players dribbling on TV and I try to practice it when I am on the field.”

Argentina has played in the world cup four times, and won twice. The village children aspire to be great soccer players like their older neighbors, as well as their heroes: the players of the Argentinian team. Such aspirations keep the children playing and working hard to one day become something great.

“We form different teams. Sometimes we form a group with our friends, other times a group is selected according to age. […] We normally a game or two, depending on how long we have, I mean what we’ve agreed with our [SOS] mothers,” says Sebastian (age eight). “But… no matter what, we have to come and play at least three times a week.”

Topics: Orphans, South America |