The third week of November 2009 will be remembered as the worst in the lives of Zimbabwean migrant workers in the De Doorns farming community in South Africa’s Western Cape province. Locals drove more than 3000 of them out of the community where they were staying.

With mixed reports over what caused the violence still coming in—the truth is that the foreigners are now staying at a makeshift camp. Life is not good there. But as Davison Mudzingwa finds out, there is one thing keeping the spirits high...soccer.

In a transit camp situated at a local sports field in De Doorns centre, more than 2000 foreigners, mostly Zimbabweans share a cramped compound. They were forced to leave another area they shared with South African nationals.

Red Cross South Africa came up with a brilliant initiative for the refugee camp. Aware of the healing powers of sport, particularly soccer, they encourage the refugees to play football and provide them with facilities. Soon the migrants, especially the children, found themselves to be coping better with their daily condition.

Every little corner of the camp quickly turns into a playing ground and the children aged between 2 to 14 just play innocently. For 14-year-old Maxmillan Gumbi, playing soccer is what he loves most.

Listen to Davison Mudzingwa's report: