Maram (via UNICEF)

“My name is Maram, I am from Syria. I am 14 and I live with my family that consists of nine people, and now we live in Zaatari camp. I study in the camp and participate in all the events available. My favorite hobby is football and my wish is to strengthen my skills in football, so I can achieve my dream and become a famous footballer, and to travel with my family and play football outside the camp.

The photos were taken of our girls’ football team in a Makani centre in Zaatari camp. I wanted to show our skills in football, the game that I find hope in for my future. They show the achievement of our goals.

Some people in the camp believe that football is only for boys, and girls shouldn’t do it. But when I play football it raises my spirits and it reinforces my self-confidence. Because I am a girl, I can be the person that changes how the community perceives girls’ football and breaks the wall of shame. Football gives me strength and confidence and fitness. It establishes a daily routine to my life.”

Mahmoud (via UNHCR)

“I started to love sports when I was a child in Daraa, Syria, and now a day of sports helps me to heal from the depression and sadness in the camp. I played football in Syria with my school team but left because of the war. I enjoy playing football and it gives me hope. My ambition is to play with a European football team.

Children and people inside the camp play football on the playground and streets, and a football field on the edge the camp. Football is really important and the community cares about it. Jordanian people are very good to us.

I have played with Al-Hussein SC (Irbid) in the Jordanian first division and Mansheyat Bani Hasan in the second division. Sport is my life. I can’t live without it. I can’t even spend one day without doing sports or playing football. It’s one of my stress release methods. I am lucky to get the chance to play with Jordanian teams. This experience allows me to see the community outside of the refugee camp. Participating in high-level football matches make me proud of myself. I hope that in the future I will be a famous football player and have a film made about my story to inspire others.”

Gharam (via UNHCR)

Football can be played by everyone. Football is important because it gives people a recreation. The photos were during a tournament in the camp. Many organisations had teams participate.

I did not play before I came to Jordan. I like the Jordanian people, they are nice. In the beginning, I couldn’t develop my skills, but now I have. I love playing football. Football is everything in my life. I wish I could be a professional player. I dream of being a famous footballer.”

Fawzi (via UNHCR)

“I am a football coach. The students are refugees who attend the community’s activities. I tried to demonstrate the children’s suffering and represent their story.

I was playing back in Syria and was professional. I started playing with al-Shul’a football team in Syria in 2009. I left Daraa in Syria because of the war. I have been playing sport since I was a child, and because of that, sports are my life. I even can’t imagine my life without it. Football was a hobby at the beginning, but after that when I became a professional, it took an important role in my life. Football is everything in my life. I wish to be a professional and international football player with high quality skill.

Football is a way that I am able to live a relatively normal life, to hope for a better future and to keep me motivated to train while living in a refugee camp. I play with my Jordanian friends. Most of them are from the Jordanian National Olympic team. They are the best people and they respect me. My experience in playing with a strong Jordanian sports team, participating in their matches and practices, was more than amazing. I hope that in the future I will be a professional player, join the international team and become famous.

Football is very important because our community doesn’t have a lot of enjoyable options. Playing football is the best way to use our energy.

Isma’el fled from Syria because of war. His father died in Jordan, and now he lives with his mother and brother. I wanted to present him because I know what it means to lose your father at an early age.” 

Bushra (via UNHCR)

“Girls can play football. Football is not just for men. It is a great sport. Football is important in our community as it entertains people, and it gives them positive energy. I did not play football before I came to Jordan because of the war. Jordanian people are like us, there is no difference. At first I used to play football in the street, but my parents wouldn’t allow me. After that they started to be convinced that it was good for me to play football.

For me, football is everything in my life. I wish I could win the World Cup. Football is important because back in the day it was only for males and now we can play it. It used to be that gymnastics was for females and now we can all play anything we want.”