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TEAM HOPE (July - September 2009)

In July 2009 Luke Diaz met with a diverse mix of people to discuss a potential football charity project in Singapore. The idea for this project was introduced by Lynn a film director with Lianain Films. Lynn shared her experience in Hongkong whilst making the documentary 'Homeless FC'. Homeless FC is a film about homeless and disadvantaged people in Hongkong who start a football team with the plan of going to the 'Homeless World Cup' in South Africa 2006. So from her experience in Hongkong Lynn  was keen to get a similar project started in Singapore. Luke (Football Passion) had worked with Pastor Andrew (New Hope Community Services) in the previous summer 2008 on the Pialla Dollah Kassim Charity football event. TEAM HOPE Singapore will work closely with New Hope Community Services (www.newhopecs.org.sg). TEAM HOPE formed an organising committee with a variety of professionals and volunteers from various industries to get this project started.

On Sunday 23 August we held a screening of the 'Homeless FC' documentary at the An-Nur Mosque in Woodlands. The screening was organised for families and men from the New Hope Shelters. The screening was followed by breaking of fast and chance to socialise and get to know each other after the film. We organised banners to promote the screening as well as a photoshoot. A few freelance writers and reports from the online citizen website (www.theonlinecitizen.com)

On Friday 11 September we organised a 'Charity Cinema Screening' at the Sinema Old School on Mount Sophia. We screened the Homeless FC film and concluded the evening with an Q & A session with the key members of the TEAM HOPE organising committee. The audience asked a number of questions about the situations of homeless, disadvantaged people in Singapore. The project and how we plan to conduct the entire project.

Some key pieces of information: TEAM HOPE will be made up mainly of residents from the various NEW HOPE shelters across Singapore (mainly in Woodlands area). New Hope Community Services provides shelters for 'displaced families' and for 'men-in-crisis'. These group of people are mainly made up of families struggling with the financial downturn in the economy (loss of employment, regular work etc) and ex-offender or ex-drug abusers who are aiming to get back on their feet. TEAM HOPE will organise a weekly training session (most likely on Sunday evenings) for the men (women) and children. A chance for some healthy exercise and to socialise and have fun together. The training will be followed by a simple dinner that will enable the players, coaches, families, volunteers and friends to socialise and spend quality time together after training. Football Passion will be responsible for managing the coaching sessions for the children and adults. In addition to the above we will be keen to get a team together and take them to the 'Homeless World Cup 2010' in Brazil. More information and updates will follow regularly...