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Football helps troubled African youngsters

A football project in troubled parts of South Africa is helping youngsters get some focus and structure in their lives.

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Source: SBS


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The World Cup fever in South Africa is not just about the thrill of seeing the game's legends in action… it's also about ploughing benefits back into local communities.

One such effort is the Dreamfields Project, a not-for-profit initiative setting up schoolboy leagues in townships across the country.

It works with corporate sponsors and individual donors to give township kids a chance to shine.

It's hoped that, in an often troubled environment, football will give youngsters some focus and structure in their lives.

The project is led by respected journalist, John Perlman, who says “My own recollection of school was that sport was what kept me interested in education. So we see ourselves as a social and educational project in many ways, more than a football one, but football is the fuel."

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The project is just two years old and has hosted around 80 Dreamevents and ploughed almost $2 million into local communities.

It's also delivered around 1,000 kitbags, each with shirts, socks, shorts and boots to supply a full team of young players.

Click above to watch Anton Enus's special report.


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