The Street Kids Soccer Team of Masaka, Uganda
THE STORY BEGINS
The Street Kids Soccer Team, with the funding and sponsorship of OMACAN and its donors, was born in July, 2017.
Yes – that is our team on the right side in blue, proud to wear their Union Gas donated tee shirts and whatever shorts they had available. Even without socks, cleats, or shin guards to play, they had an incredible will to win.
These kids have been fighting all their young lives. And this day, like every day, they were giving their best to life and to the game.
In 2019, OMACAN was proud to announce support for a Masaka OMACAN Street Kids Team.
THE TEAM IS REBORN
OMACAN noticed their will to win – their will to show up and be a team on the soccer field, no matter the personal cost or danger of injury. Barefoot and proud.
Our president designed a team logo for them. During one morning wake-up call (the daily video chat with Canada), they were presented with the design, and the shelter erupted in absolute joy and excitement.
The courage and will of the boys had been seen. It was on this day in June of 2017 that the team was reborn for the players, and it expanded to be a street kids team for OMACAN in 2018.
OMACAN MASAKA SOCCER TEAM PRACTICE
The OMACAN Masaka Soccer Team practices at the playground in Kizungu, Masaka, under the coaching of “Coach” Walisimbi Augustine.
Soccer teaches many skills to these youths, including teamwork, responsibility, anger management, discipline, and commitment.
OMACAN is looking to find soccer clubs or players from the West to sponsor an academy for street children and girls soccer.
“The game teaches us a lot about friendship and all the things you can accomplish as a team.”
“The game teaches us a lot about friendship and all the things you can accomplish as a team.”
The Game That Inspired a Real Team
What started the team’s drive to play, no matter what?
It was during an event where OMACAN hired a bus to take a group of street kids to Lake Nabugabo Beach in Masaka for a swim. There, a football game broke out.
OMACAN’s president could see their passion and believed this was a means to meet the children where their hearts were.
MEET MUWONGE, THE SOCCER STAR
“Before, I never dreamed of this life.”
When he was living on the streets, Muwonge worried that his whole life would be spent surviving. But now that he’s come to OMACAN, he’s learning how to have big goals and bigger dreams – especially when it comes to soccer.
“Now, I started having big dreams, and Omacan will support me with reaching my goals…I want to be a professional football player.”
While Muwonge is focused on getting the hang of big subjects in school (like English, science, and math), he’s found his true passion through his experiences on the field with OMACAN’s soccer team – and we couldn’t be prouder!
“I like to play football. Christian Ronaldo is my favorite.”
To OMACAN kids like Muwonge, soccer isn’t just a game. It’s an inspiration.
“To you from failing hands, we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high.”
– Canadian John McCrae
“To you from failing hands, we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high.”
– Canadian John McCrae
In 2017, OMACAN sponsored the Street Kids Soccer Team from Nyendo, Masaka, who represented OMACAN’s School, the Donna Watkinson School of Hope. The children received not only respect but invitations to play from the for-profit schools; now they represent OMACAN across the district.
