Sara, Portugal 2005
Sara Coelho played for Portugal at the Homeless World Cup in Edinburgh in 2005.
"I have suffered from mental illness since childhood. A dysfunctional family life led me to alcoholism and drug addiction. I spent about two years living in abandoned houses or on the street.
Shortly before Edinburgh 2005 I returned to my parents house and to try to rebuild
my family life. I spent time with a therapist and finished technical
school studying carpentry and decoration.
"Playing in the Homeless World Cup in Edinburgh gave me the chance to
achieve self respect and motivated me to improve my life. It was my first experience of football and I continue to play and, having resolved to improve my life,
I'm receiving treatment for my addictions and looking for a real job.
"The Homeless World Cup was a very good life experience but I think it
is more difficult for a woman with mental health problems to integrate
with a team and play against so many male players. It was good to
learn about other cultures and places and see that I’m not alone in my
fight against social problems and drug addiction. Before the Homeless
World Cup I didn't have any picture of my future, no goals, no positive
feelings about myself and about life.
"I heard about the Homeless World Cup from my social support association. The Cais
Association had sent some information to my psychologist and I wanted
to participate. My institution had a team, that had finished second in the Portuguese street soccer national championship.
"It´s a great event that stands for inclusion shows that
homeless people have human dignity to represent their own countries in
an international competition, shows that we have a place in society. It gave me the motivation and strength to fight
day to day for a better life. It gave me self esteem and joy."
