(ZAATARI REFUGEE CAMP, JORDAN)
(IT IS NOW HOME TO 80,000 REFUGEES)
(FROM THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR)
(HALF OF ZAATARI'S REFUGEE POPULATION IS FEMALE)
(BUT THEY ARE OFTEN STIGMATISED FOR PLAYING SPORT)
(ONE SINGLE MOTHER IS TRYING TO CHANGE THAT)
(CAMPS TO CHAMPS)
(THE POWER OF SPORT FOR THE DISPLACED)
(SAMANTHA MURRAY - GBR MODERN PENTATHLETE)
(LONDON 2012 SILVER MEDALLIST)
(SAMANTHA IS VISITING ZAATARI)
Hi? I hear you are the football coach for the girls.
Yes, I am Amal Hosham, the coach.
It's very encouraging to us
to have an international personality like you visit us
Hi!
We have an Olympic athlete here.
Because she's heard these little girls play football,
and football can be dangerous.
But for us nothing is dangerous. We're strong, right?
I'm not the best football player so,
I hope I don't let them down. I hope I don't embarrass them.
Do you think it's a new thing
for Syrian girls to play sport?
Yes, yes.
How do your families feel about you participating?
They had a problem with a young girl playing football.
They said football is only for men and boys.
So, some people accept the idea and others don't.
How does it make you feel to play soccer?
It feels natural.
Yes, as well as healthy and powerful.
Yeah, me too! I like training, it makes me feel strong.
Actually, I get a lot, I feel very confident
when I play sports.
What are your hopes for the future?
I look to it with confidence and comfort
and hope in my eyes.
That's it girls. Come over!
Thank you!
No, thank you.
Thank you. Well done.
Thank you.
Welcome, Samantha, I hope you like our place.
When you first started doing the football,
what was the reaction, from the men especially?
Everyone opposed it.
I got a lot of criticism.
They would curse and say, "What are you girls doing?"
and some would throw stones at us,
so I told them we're not doing anything wrong.
We're getting girls to have fun and play with a ball.
My daughter hasn't been compromised,
her morals haven't been compromised.
And I expect, with time,
they will feel even more relaxed about it.
What was the final decision?
Why did you decide to leave home and come here?
The reason I came here
is because the armed groups entering our country.
They said that the terrorist groups have come,
and they slaughter and rape girls and so on.
My daughters were so afraid for Farah.
They were afraid for themselves,
they were afraid for Farah.
So, when the armed men came into our house,
they tore the door down.
I was afraid for my daughters and them destroying the house.
I asked my daughters, "Where is Farah?" and they said,
"We hid her under the mattress."
When I got to Farah, I saw that she was suffocating
and frothing at the mouth.
Her sisters were so scared that they had hidden her.
I thought God saved her this time but what about next time?
I feel that my daughters are my future.
If they were hurt, I'd be destroyed.
Aww, I'm so sorry.
I really... Oh, my goodness.
A girl has the right to live and learn and to be something
and I vowed not to deny them this.
I will challenge everyone
in order for my daughters to be something.
And if I had to, I would take them to Mars, not just Jordan!
And they seem so happy today with the football.
You — I think you're so strong.