In spite of our different cultures, languages, background and the like, we’ve all gathered together in one place, united as one: the common factor this time round being football. Every one of the 32 participating countries had high hopes of at least reaching the medal zone of the competition.

In far away Kalariga, a village in Tamale, football is doing wonders for kids. For most of these kids, it’s their only source of entertainment. Unfortunately, their parents are not only illiterates and but also seasonal workers (farmers). To come by food and money all year round with some to spare is a problem. As a result, their kids are compelled to look for alternative sources of food and money at an early stage.

Though these kids attend school free of charge, some actually go barefooted, while some have no books to study with. In the end, the males end up with their fathers on the farm, while the females end up with their mothers at the market. The adventurous ones among them resort to weekend weeding during the wet season and hunting rats during the dry season to just survive.

The story is not all that gloomy. Most kids are well catered for by their parents and guardians and they also attend good schools, but for these unfortunate isolated few, who have no idea that the world cup is ongoing, football brings joy to them as it offers a refreshing alternative from the burden of housework, and school.

However, for both the privileged and underprivileged, breaktime during school hours is the best time of the day. They know that they could end up like Didier Drogba and Michale Essien if they practice a little harder and luck smiles on them. If it’s true that hope keeps man alive, then football keeps us alive too.