“Nobody can imagine how big the Homeless World Cup is”
|Co-founder Mel Young addresses the crowd at the Homeless World Cup in the Scottish capital.
“I now have a serious job, with a contract, a schedule, and a salary.”
After failing to to complete his university studies, Juan Junco went through a succession of short-term jobs before becoming homeless “a long time ago, too long, more than five years ago.”
In 2005, he played for Team Spain at the Homeless World Cup in Scotland. Since then, his life has begun to change. He now shares a house in San Lorenzo del Escorial which he describes as “a beautiful area near the mountains” with one of his teammates.
“I now have a serious job, with a contract, a schedule, and a salary.” Juan explains proudly.
Sport in general has become increasingly important to him and provides a way of coping with daily challenges. “Before the Homeless World Cup I didn’t do much sport, but now I feel like I need to do some sports. I am working as a security guard, but I always have in my mind the team and our trip to the Homeless World Cup.”
“I don’t always practice football on a regular basis because I am not a very good player, I am too slow. But I do try to see my colleagues from the Spanish team and play with them. I go swimming in summer and sometimes I go to the gym.”
Juan emphasises that he is grateful to everyone who has helped him on his path of reintegration. “I want to say thanks to the Spanish and international organisers of the Homeless World Cup. We did not realise how big and amazing the event is until we are back home. Nobody can imagine how big the Homeless World Cup is.”