University of Brighton Alumni Association

The man with nothing

Football is helping refugees cope with the misery of camp life in Dunkirk, according to University of Brighton graduate Daniel Mansaray who spent time living with one refugee in his wooden shack. daniel-left-with-two-other-football-volunteers

Pictured above: Daniel (left) with two other football volunteers

Daniel has written a blog telling how the refugee Zayran (not his real name) fled his native Iraq after being attacked by terrorists for refusing to become a suicide bomber.

a-refugee-shack-similar-to-that-where-daniel-stayedthe-camp-in-dunkirk

Pictured above: (left) a shack similar to the one Daniel stayed in; (right) The camp in Dunkirk

Daniel, who graduated last year with a BA(Hons) in Physiotherapy, wrote: “Refugees have been through unimaginable pain and suffering and activities like football can be used as an outlet for them. Zayran, for example, had little to no interest in football and yet it was evident it had a strong impact on him. Understandably, football will always have its limitations as to how much it can influence someone. But as long as it is having some sort of influence, no matter how big or small then it is invaluable.”

Zayran said: “When I go to football my body and mind feel happy and free. All refugees are sad. Football is like peace. When refugees play football they are happy.”

Read Daniel’s account ‘The Man with Nothing – Freedom’.

 

 

Sarah Grant • October 4, 2016


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