52 Lives

Life #54

Request: Uniforms and equipment / a sponsor

This week, 52 Lives wants to help a group of asylum seekers and refugees who have formed a Futsal team in Brisbane, Australia.

The team is made up of 10 men -Aussies, Iraqis, Iranians and Afghans.

A few weeks ago, I received an email from an organisation called Community of Hope. Their sole aim is to provide practical support and friendship to asylum seekers and refugees in their local area.

After spending some time with local families, they discovered there was a shared love of football. And it sparked an idea – and so they founded the amazing Community of Hope Lions Futsal Team.

Their philosophy was “Having happy, healthy dads and brothers creates and inspires happy families.”

They wanted to give these men the chance to play a sport they loved, giving them a connection to each other, their culture, and to their new lives in Australia.

In just a few short weeks, the impact has been incredible and the games have become a welcome respite for these men. They have fun, exercise and forge much-needed friendships. And it is already making a difference to their family lives. One man’s wife said her husband has been so much happier since joining the team.

It is sometimes the smallest of things that can make such a big difference. And it is things like this – bringing people together and having some fun – that helps to build happy communities and change mindsets.

I would love to be able to do something for these men. Not just to give them the equipment they need, but to show them that there are people all over the world who care about the future of the Community of Hope Lions Futsal Team!

I asked Community of Hope to set up a fundraising page to make it easier for people to contribute. So if you would like to help, you can either donate these items directly, or make a donation on the fundraising page. Or, if you know a company that may be willing to donate these items or sponsor the team. please let me know.

We helped to buy sports kit for an inspiration group of asylum seekers and refugees in Brisbane, Australia.

The team of 10 men, made up of Aussies, Iraquis, Iranians and Afghans, were brought together by an organisation called Communty of Hope which aims to provide practical support and friendship to asylum seekers and refugees in their local area. They soon discovered a shared love of football, and so founded the Community of Hope Lions Futsal Team.

They wanted to give these men the chance to play a sport they loved, giving them a connection to each other, their culture, and to their new lives in Australia.

In the first few weeks, the impact was incredible and the games have become a welcome respite for these men. They have fun, exercise and forge much-needed friendships. And it is already making a difference to their family lives. One man’s wife said her husband has been so much happier since joining the team.

The team was in need of funds to pay for uniforms, boots and game fees. The total money raised to date (March 2015) stands at AU$890. A big thankyou to all the donors, with a special thanks to 52 Lives supporters Richard Harwood, Maree Griffin and Belinda Toner. This team means so much to the men involved, and is helping to unite communities and change lives.

We are so very very grateful for your help. The generosity of your donors means that this week I will be ordering the boys their own kits, with their chosen numbers and colours.

They will proudly wear these kits knowing so many people care. This team gives many of our boys a bright light in their week...a few nights a week where they know they can come and forget about the uncertainty of their futures and just play.