Bringing Hope to Orphans through UAE Rugby Tour

The Philippine Rugby Football Union, together with UAE companies have brought smiles to the faces of children from the Tuloy Foundation and Bahay Bata orphanages in the Philippines through the recently held UAE Touch Football Festival at the MNomads Sports Complex on 15 August 2008.

The UAE companies sponsored the dinner for the event and cash donations of PhP50,000 each were also given to the Tuloy Foundation and Bahay Bata orphanages at the awards and presentation ceremony later in the evening. Additionally, a Touch Rugby Tournament was held and was participated in by two UAE men’s teams, Alabang Eagles, Nomads, UP Ladies Touch Team, the Nomads Ladies Touch Team, and the children from the Bahay Bata and Tuloy Foundations, for which, the UAE Team called 88 V Blacks was hailed champion in the Men’s Division, the Tuloy Foundation in the Juniors Division and the UP Ladies Touch Team in the Ladies Division. Trophies were awarded to the winners of the men’s, ladies and juniors divisions.

It is also worth mentioning that sporting equipment packages of new Adidas touch tops, rugby balls, cones and sporting bags courtesy of Adidas were also provided to the children of Tuloy Foundation and Bahay Bata orphanages by the UAE company, Middle East Fitness Professional.

Many orphans grow up with lingering feelings of not belonging to anyone or to anything (i.e., a family, a relationship, or a community). There is a strong desire to be accepted. There is also a sense of separation, of longing - always searching for an identity rather than being labelled an orphan - an outcast. And participating in tournaments like these gives them a sense of belonging, of hope, of commitment and of love. The many simple things that most people take for granted are very much appreciated by these children and thus, makes them “psychologically enriched” through opportunities that are given them by other people who are generous enough to share with them their resources, time and attention and who make them feel that they are not alone in this world.

The PRFU remain committed to giving these children hope through the sport of Touch Football. We are glad that the event achieved such a positive response, and are delighted by how enthusiastically the sponsors supported our goal of raising funds for this very worthy cause. Our sincerest thanks to Mr Michael Jones and his UAE group for bringing their tour to the Philippines and for sponsoring this very successful event. Cheers!