​Samar, Leyte – On 02 August 2018, Thursday, FundLife International met Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo in a closed-door meeting in Salcedo Central Elementary School in Samar. ​ During the meet and greet, FundLife founder and director, Marko Kasic, introduced the team, the coaches, and the FFLA players including two of the FFLA-Russia delegates to the FIFA Foundation Festival in Moscow.
The private audience allowed partners, FundLife and DepEd, to present to the Vice President, the progress and impact of the delivery and implementation of sports, through the Football for Life Academy or FFLA programme, as a progressive and proactive complementing factor to the education and development of the children and youth in Tacloban and Leyte public schools. The Vice President was all ears as FFLA-Russia delegates Yman and Daniel shared their experience in Moscow, Russia at the FIFA Festival and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, recalling fondly how the trip was an unforgettable learning experience that continues to encourage them to work hard to achieve their goals in life. Daniel went on to say how the FFLA programme has always opened new opportunities for him and other FFLA players to discover their strengths as students, as footballers, and as leaders. Also present during the meet and greet FundLife partners from the Department of Education Tacloban City Division, Mr. Ivannovich Agote, Senior Education Program Officer for Social Mobilization & Networking and Mr. Crissvil Villamor, Project Development Officer, and from the Tanauan School of Craftsmanship, Mr. Rufino Almaden, Teacher and Sports Coordinator. Through the invitation of the Office of the Vice President, FundLife International conducted a Football Clinic and Workshop for the student-athletes of Salcedo Elementary and held a football friendly match for the school’s newly formed football team. The OVP’s 2-day visit in Salcedo is part of the office’s Angat Buhay programme wherein new sports equipment were donated to the school.