PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Introduction
LUSAKA UNITED, a Zambian youth football team, provides youth with knowledge, life skills, and support to live HIV-free.
As a holistic soccer training program, HIV and Aids education and skills development programs are integrated to ensure a fun yet educational and prosperous initiative that is fully sustainable.
Created of repurposed materials by the community, the team’s stadium and uniforms are a testament to commUNITY. It is symbolic of the knowledge people can foster and the new life materials can take on when people UNITE.
Proceeds from LUSAKA UNITED t-shirts and other products, created by commUNITY members will be invested back into development of children in Lusaka. Skills development programs are structured to allow community members to perfect traditional skills to be most productive for themselves and their community.
Identity
- Team wordmark - The wordmark, bold and straight forward states the team name proud and clearly. The words ‘Lusaka’ and ‘united’ are joined to form a single word, a representation of strength and unity.
- Color - Bright and dynamic, these colors were chosen to represent excitement and energy. This palette is only a recommended palette. Colors are open for change given what materials and paints are available.
- Typeface - The typeface FedraSansAlt was selected for its uniqueness and versatility.
- Color fields - A main element of the team’s graphic identity are color fields. These fields, comprised of different shapes have the ability to constantly change. Color, shape, and number of shapes are up to the creator. These represent the idea of many creating a whole, of the old becoming something new.
- Team uniforms - Uniforms are created from repurposed shirts and materials. Home uniforms are comprised of pieces, away uniforms created from two.
Architecture
- Basic layout – A space that re-uses materials from within the community and is self-sustainable.
- Materials – Objects and materials seen as waste or garbage are incorporated into the design of the Football pitch (i.e. seats made of tires). The technology chosen to build the facilities (manual press bricks) uses waste in its composition, therefore stimulating garbage separate collection.
- Rainwater collection – The rainwater collector system provides enough water to be used in the facilities - not only decreasing the maintenance expenses for the place, but also allowing the fees for Food Stalls rentals to be cheaper.
- Fabric shade and promotion space – Use of less durable material for the stadium “ceiling,” in order to ensure the employment of local workers every 6 months.
Social Programme
- Bicycle collection – Players will collect recyclable material in specially designed bicycles carrying the signage and identity of the team so community members can identify the soccer league members. Community members will receive incentives for their contributions of recyclable material in the form of tokens and for drinks, food and tickets to soccer tournaments. While collecting, team players will spend time talking to members of the community to educate them about HIV and Aids when they go out to collect the recyclable plastic bottles, old clothes and material, used tires and wood and tin cans. Other methods of shirt/material collection include shirts and materials are donated from the community at the stadium and used clothing/material purchased for low rates.
- Billboards – Team members will have the opportunity to paint a billboard to their liking to promote their team and HIV/Aids education.
- Skills training – As a result of building the stadium, many methods of repurposing materials and construction skill will be taught. This could include manual brick pressing (pictured), etc.
- Job creation – Shirts are sewn by community members from workshops housed within the stadium. This process could eventually move beyond shirts (bags, patches, headbands, etc.)
Sustainability Programme
- Team uniforms – Shirts are sold within local, national, and international markets and are increasingly priced in three tears. For every one shirt purchased in foreign market for much higher rates ($50?), shirts are given to the players. Included on the shirt tag is information about the shirt, the team, the game schedule, and team web address.
- Website – The website can be equipped with a live webcam feed to watch games. Available on the team site is the ability to purchase shares of Lusaka United (i.e. $ 5 per share, 10,000 shares = 500,000!) Shirts become a story – a vehicle to distribute information and create enthusiasm and awareness about the team and fighting HIV/AIDS throughout the world.
Lusaka United Authors:
Fernando Acquarone (Brazil), Hugo Cabanas (Mexico), Gonçalo Campos (Portugal), Lorenzo Fanton (Italy), Brad Hasse (USA), Safeeyah Kharsany (South Africa), Joshua Levi (USA), Piero Martinello (Italy), Gustavo Millon (Chile), Phoebe Mutetsi (Uganda/Ruanda), Barbara Soalheiro (Brazil), Jacqueline Steck (USA), and Cristian Tittoto (Italy).
