Patrick Mbeu
Patrick arrived in France from Rwanda. He found himself in a strange country, without a work permit, and unable to earn an income he became homeless.
Patrick joined the football team at the homeless organisation Collectif Remse en Jeu where his talent was clear and his team spirit was noted. He was soon selected to play for France at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup.
Committed to "Collectif Remise en Jeu" and supporting people on the margins of society he went on to become the coach for the French national Homeless World Cup team and led them to the Melbourne 2008 and Milan 2009 tournaments.
He is also the secretary of the organisation and a member of Local Organizing Committee for the Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup and a coach with Paris St Germain Football Club.
Patrick says: “My participation in the Homeless World Cup brought about a profound personal change. It allowed me to regain myself-respect to take important steps in my life and I was also able to regain a high standard of play in my game.”