Youths seeking refuge offered gifts for fun

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the campaign had resonated with the community. “More than $24,200 has been raised from the community for this campaign, which shows there is a lot of support out there for asylum seekers and particularly the young ones,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

“The fact these young people are here on bridging visas means they cannot work and neither can their parents in most cases. They often live on an average of just $32 a day.

“The benefits to young people in such difficult circumstances that come from participating in community activities, like sports, and having fun shouldn’t be overlooked. It can boost confidence, connect youths to community networks and keep them healthy. The shoes and football boots provided by Asylum Sneakers will allow them those opportunities.

Soccer commentator and SBS presenter Les Murray has been an ambassador of the campaign. He said his background as a refugee meant he empathised with asylum seekers in Australia. Soccer had helped his own assimilation into Australian life, Mr Murray said. So providing shoes and boots to help asylum seekers participate in sport was a campaign he personally related to.

“Having been a boy refugee, and a very poor one, I therefore naturally empathise with refugees and asylum seekers,” he said. “I have an understanding of how powerful football can be – it’s the most egalitarian of sports, very simple and very cheap to play. In knowing this, I want to help other refugees in their journey, through football. 

“For many young asylum seekers and refugees, football is a source of hope and a way for them to start healing from the traumas of the refugee experience. It helps give them a sense of purpose and belonging, as well as an opportunity to practise English and socialise with other children.”

Thursday August 21, 2014

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