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Awer Mabil's trip from the refugee camp to the Socceroos locker room made headlines last month when he made his debut on the national football team. It has now gained more attention after being recognized for its work supporting refugees.
Aged 23, born in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya before settling in Australia in 2006, he received the FIFPro Merit Award 2018 award at a ceremony in Rome on Thursday and presented a check for $ 25,000 from the World Footballers' Association to continue its charity work.
Upon returning to camp in 2014, Mabil launched its "Barefoot Boots" initiative, which initially aimed to provide children with football boots. Today, four years later, it offers better conditions and helps transform the lives of young African refugees.
"My goal is to make life easier for refugees and to make them realize that their dreams can come true," said Mabil. "They [refugees] I just want an opportunity to be seen and not be isolated. "
Mabil's parents fled the conflict in South Sudan in 1994 and ended up in Kakuma camp, which currently houses more than 185,000 refugees. Mabil was born a year later and remained in the camp until the family emigrated to Adelaide more than ten years later.
Mabil, who plays for Denmark's FC Midtjylland, made his debut with Graham Arnold Arnold's Socceroos in a friendly against Kuwait last month. He played alongside his childhood friend and novice fellow, Thomas Deng, who also spent his early years in Kenya. He completed his first appearance with a goal at a memorable night for the Australian couple.
Mabil has not forgotten its roots and charity Barefoot to Boots not only provides boots and gear for children in Kakuma, but also provides education and health care through donations of laptops, incubators and sanitary kits for young women, as well as other equipment.
"Awer Mabil's barefoot boots program is a brilliant program," said Tony Higgins, spokesperson for the Merit Award Jury. "He is doing an outstanding job in trying to bring hope and an improved quality of life to the unhappy people of many African countries living in Kakuma camp.
"People do not voluntarily choose to become refugees, most of them are forced to flee their homes due to life-threatening circumstances for themselves or their families. Moreover, living in a refugee camp is extremely difficult and sad. Something as simple as playing football can already bring a well deserved happiness. "
Mabil said he was considering using the prize money to build a youth center or provide scholarships to refugees at Kakuma camp. "I want to help refugees through football, because football has brought a lot," he said.
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