Homeless World Cup Volunteer wins award
Posted on 24/08/2008
Homeless World Cup volunteer Melissa Razuki has won a Melbourne Award in recognition of her work to inspire young people to think and act about the issue of homelessness.
Announced yesterday evening, the Melbourne Awards celebrate people and organisations that go beyond the call of duty with the hope of inspiring others to create a better future for the city.
As the driving force behind the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup Adopt-a-Team program, Mrs Razuki has harnessed the talent and dedication of thousands of students across over 50 Victorian schools in her efforts to promote greater understanding of and support for homeless people.
“The Adopt-a-Team program is a bridge connecting students with people that they would never normally meet,” Mrs Razuki said.
“It’s about engaging children in social issues so that it becomes part of their future lives. It’s about humanity. And it’s about tolerance, respect and creating change.”
In preparation for the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup which will unite 56 national teams of homeless and marginalised players competing in a life-changing street soccer tournament to be held on December 1-7 at Federation Square and Birrarung Marr, schools have adopted teams from poorer nations, providing fund-raising, friendship and assistance to enable them to compete in Melbourne.
Students are encouraged to learn about their adopted nation and break down misconceptions and prejudices surrounding homelessness in Australia and overseas.
In 2006, Mrs Razuki was introduced to the world of street soccer and began volunteering for The Big Issue’s street soccer program for homeless and marginalised people, run by coach George Halkias at Atherton Gardens in Fitzroy.
“Through George, I became friends with remarkable, vulnerable characters with terribly sad stories who transformed my view of life.
“I found them inspirational in their fortitude. They can often find living each day a struggle, but are using sport to improve their circumstances.
“The commitment, discipline, and then the eventual physical benefits, of being part of a sporting team gives them the focus and security to begin to make positive changes in their lives as well as a valuable sense of belonging.
"As an emerging football evangelist I was inspired to spread the word and tell everyone how sport really can change the world.
Her target was students, beginning with her own children at Melbourne Grammar’s coeducational primary school, Grimwade House.
What began as speeches at school assemblies and visits by students to street soccer training sessions, has grown into a coordinated program with the support of the Education Foundation, involving over 50 schools across Victoria.
A visit to the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup with the Australian team only further ignited the flame.
“The 2007 Homeless World Cup was one of the best weeks of my life,” Mrs Razuki said. “It is a magnificent celebration of sport being used to overcome adversity and the power of belonging to a team.
“The Homeless World Cup seems to capture the imagination of most students, and we have had particular success with engaging the hard-to-reach kids who seem excited about the event and the role they can play in it.
“We have students from all over the state busily preparing for their team’s arrival in Melbourne.”
The Adopt-a-Team program aims to speak to over 35,000 young Australians and the wider community about the power of sport to improve the lives of individuals and its ability to aid integration and acceptance of homeless and marginalised people.
The program also aims to create real and lasting change in young people’s participation in the community and promote community values in young people.
Players in The Big Issue’s street soccer program – who are potentials for the Australian national Homeless World Cup team - visit schools to talk about their experiences with homelessness and share their stories with the students.
“The stories from the Street Socceroos are real and genuine,” Ms Razuki said. “The children are always visibly moved by what they hear and it helps ignite a social conscience in them.”
Participating schools will be invited to meet their team, march with them in the opening parade, work as ball boys and ball girls, and watch them play during the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup. They will witness first-hand the positive power of sport, generate support for the Homeless World Cup and help create a lasting legacy for the event.
“By the end of our sessions we hope that the kids are mindful that there is a lot more to charity than money,” Mrs Razuki said.
“We ask them to think about what time, talents and skills they think they can bring to the table to improve their community.
“I love what the Adopt-a-Team program has done for our Street Socceroos. Some have spoken to hundreds of kids and I have watched them grow in confidence, self-esteem and stature. The kids listen and learn from their stories and they think our guys are cool.”
For more information contact hwcmedia@bigissue.org.au
