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Zimbabwe Street Soccer Education Fund Incorporated
GOALS of ZIMSSEF Short Term: To assist the Zimbabwean Street Soccer players in their resettlement in Australia, and to provide financial support to members of the team to enable them to bring their spouses and children to Australia and pursue their vocational and educational needs. Long Term: To support the education of selected children attached to the YASD program from the high density community of Hatcliffe in Harare. Background
During 2008 James and Peter Maiden travelled to Zimbabwe as part of the development of a film project. As a result, Maiden Films produced a documentary called “Street Soccer Zimbabwe” which was shown on SBS. The film focused on the struggle of a community in Harare and a group of people alleviating the burden of poverty and the oppressive regime through a community soccer project. The project was striving to take a team of young men from the slum to Melbourne for a soccer tournament called the Homeless World Cup. Consequently, a strong friendship and commitment to assist the Zimbabwe team and their families was developed. Through ongoing communication with the team, it was decided to establish a charity to assist the team, their families and the children involved in the street soccer program in Hatcliffe, Harare. YASD In 2005 the YASD (Young Achievement Sports for Development) was established. It is a non-profit community based organisation that uses sport as a medium to reach children and their disadvantaged families with messages of self-confidence, HIV prevention, awareness of child abuse and other protection related activities. The project works primarily with disadvantaged children. YASD is situated in Hatcliffe, a high-density township area of Harare, about 21 kilometres from the city centre. The specific goal of this project is to have community based youth driven activities that promote sport, nurture psycho social wellbeing and improve education and academic opportunities in this community.
The Homeless World Cup and Seeking Asylum.  During the first week of December, 2008 the Homeless Street Soccer World Cup was held in Melbourne. The tournament strives to raise the awareness of global homelessness and poverty through the power of sport. Thousands of people came to watch and support their favourite team. The atmosphere was fantastic. Exciting and highly competitive street soccer was played throughout the week. The event was given extensive media coverage and was considered a great success. 56 countries competed, including a team from Zimbabwe, under the leadership of their coordinator, Tawanda and coach, Samuel “The General”. They played valiantly, with passion and commitment. They received the City of Melbourne Cup for winning their division. This was a great achievement for the disadvantaged young men from the slums of Harare in Zimbabwe. Conditions and life for people in Zimbabwe had deteriorated. Violence, poverty, homelessness, HIV/AIDS and Cholera have been a constant threat. For Tawanda, Samuel and their street soccer team to return to Zimbabwe was life threatening. After much soul searching and seeking legal advice, the members of the team decided to seek asylum in Australia. They believe they will have more opportunity to help their struggling families and others involved in the street soccer program if they remain in Australia.
In March, 2009 they received permanent residency and are building a new life, living in Melbourne. Through the assistance of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and other organisations they have begun the resettlement process. This has included assistance with basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, employment and education.
They have shown amazing resilience and made remarkable progress in the short time they have been in Australia.
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