PUSHPA

Pushpa (13) started playing two years ago in bare feet, a tattered yellow dress and a red bandana. In less than a year she made it onto the India National Team for girls. Here she talks about flying in airplanes, how she’s starting to become a little less shy off the field, and plans to play in America.

REENA

Reena (17) is the captain of Yuwa’s first team, practicing since February 2009. She isthe second eldest of four sisters. Her mother is a cook at the local government school who earns Rs 500 ($11) per month and her father is a mason earning Rs 110 ($2.40) per day. Her family has one cow and two oxen, and two small fields where they grow rice, wheat and vegetables. Here Reena talks about what inspired her to play, and a talented player on her team who doesn’t get enough to eat.

SHIVANI & NEETA

Shivani (10) and Neeta (11) don’t know quite how long they’ve been friends, but they stick together even when they fight, and they’re sure that football’s more fun even than Bollywood movies.

BINITA

Before joining Yuwa, Binita (15) thought she’d quit school after 10th class. She’d only end up doing housework anyway, she thought. Here she talks about why she’s changed her mind.

SUMAN

Suman (12) is the organizer of Yuwa’s first team. Here she talks about the difference between private school and government school, and why she no longer hides her school uniform as an excuse to skip school.

REEMA (new player)

Reema is in class 1 and has been practicing since yesterday. Yuwa’s first team co- captain Seema asks why she decided to come, and just as important, if she got her mother’s permission.