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EIGEN-SINN foundation

Footballs that have travelled the whole world.

The world's only collection of handmade footballs made by street children from around the globe — around 250 balls from more than 40 countries. Every ball has its own story.

Mikel with Hans-Martin Haist in front of the shelves of the archived football collection
With Hans-Martin Haist among his collection — handmade balls from more than 40 countries.
~250
handmade balls
40+
countries
since 2005
in the making

Made from socks, plastic bags, banana leaves, fabric scraps — every ball is unique.

Moments of Happiness

Hans-Martin Haist founded the EIGEN-SINN children's and youth workshop in Freudenstadt in 1999 and ran it as managing director from the very start. From 2005 he also gathered this collection: inspired by a sock ball from Africa, he asked street workers and helpers all over the world to send him their handmade balls. Hans-Martin passed away in 2023. He asked me to carry on his work — and that is exactly what I am doing.

⚽ Bid now – for a good cause

Secure a piece of street football's world history

You can now bid directly here — on single balls, several balls of your choice, or the whole collection. Your bid is sealed (not shown publicly); the proceeds benefit the EIGEN-SINN children's workshop.

⚽ Place your bid

The collection is sold as a whole, as shown / as inspected. All details without guarantee.

This is everything included

A tour through the complete collection — every single ball, the display stands, the country signs and the documentation. So you can see at a glance what changes hands in the auction.

The collection is sold as a whole — complete with all balls, signs and exhibition materials.

Help out — spread the word

The more people hear about it, the more the collection achieves. Share it:

Learn more about the collection, its history and all the balls →

Stiftung EiGEN-SiNN — non-independent foundation, trustee Kinderwerkstatt Eigen-Sinn gGmbH
Wölperwiesenweg 1, 72250 Freudenstadt, Germany · Tel. +49 7441 9328502 · info@stiftung-eigensinn.de
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