UNHCR | She fled war and found safety on the football fields of Belfast
After arriving from South Sudan aged 18, Mary found purpose and support at Street Soccer – a Belfast scheme for refugees and youth – and at a centre run by the Irish Football Association. Football has been more than a game for Mary, much like it has for many refugees.
It gave her confidence, community and hope 💙
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Speakers
00:00:00
Mary
00:00:02
Justin
00:00:13
Mary
00:00:18
Andrew
00:00:25
Mary
00:00:32
Justin
00:00:38
Andrew
00:00:45
Mary
Transcriptions
Mary
It's like a freedom, you know, when you play football.
Justin
We thought it'd be great to set something up where we could have a football session once a week and just reap the benefits of sport. So what's great about street soccer and the power of football is to bring communities together.
Mary
The coaches, the teammates, everyone was lovely. They were amazing, they were supportive.
Andrew
Mary came to one of our recreational centres in Belfast. Straight away, the thing that struck all of us was how enthusiastic she was for football.
Mary
The friendship I made through football, they become like family. Even winter, she's still my friend. We call each other, encourage each other.
Justin
Very often when we ask people, what do you love most about street soccer? And they'll say, it's my family.
Andrew
Knowing Mary, she has felt great confidence to be a key driver for female refugee integration.
Mary
It unites people, it creates friendship, so it's a great opportunity for refugees to overcome their challenge, their stress and mental well being.
