Story of Hope: Aya plays football
This is part one of a series of inspiring stories about the young people we serve. This story is about Aya, who wanted to play football, but football is for boys she was told.
Our star of the day is Aya from Palestine. Street Child United feel an immense privellege to share her story. A story of how she defeated gender stereotypes and followed her dreams of playing football. Aya is a role-model for many girls in Palestine, because she was determined to fight for the right to be herself.
Aya lives in Tulkarem, where she has just finished high-school. Aya loves playing football and expresses herself through her short hair. In Tulkarem, women do not play football and rarely keep their hair short. For years, she lacked the confidence to express herself as her society aimed to keep her within a box.
But Aya doesn’t give up. She defies the stereotypesand fights for her rights.
Aya has a dream: She wants to be a professional football player. But when she goes out to practice, they send her away. “Football is just for boys!” they shout. On other days her Mom restricts her from playing football and keeps her in the house. She doesn’t want her daughter to suffer from the prejudice of the society.
However, Aya still faces discrimination. She is constantly picked on for wanting to play football and keeping her hair short. In school, Aya is brave but at home she allows herself to cry and express the emotions and wonder why people are so unfair.
One day, Palestine Sports For Life (PS4L) organises a tournament in her district. A friend takes her there to watch the matches. Aya is confused: So many girls playing football! And the audience is cheering! The sport, the atmosphere, the attitude of the players – how could this be possible in Tulkarem?
After the tournament she runs back home to beg her Mom to let her join PS4L. “Please, please, pleaseeee Mom”, Aya beggs and beggs, “please let me play football with them!”. Deep down, her mom wants to say ‘yes’. But what would the neighbours say? What would the school say to a girl playing football? Her answer was… ‘no’
One day, Palestine Sports For Life (PS4L) organises a tournament in her district. A friend takes her there to watch the matches. Aya is confused: So many girls playing football! And the audience is cheering! The sport, the atmosphere, the attitude of the players – how could this be possible in Tulkarem?
After the tournament she runs back home to beg her Mom to let her join PS4L. “Please, please, pleaseeee Mom”, Aya beggs and beggs, “please let me play football with them!”. Deep down, her mom wants to say ‘yes’. But what would the neighbours say? What would the school say to a girl playing football? Her answer was… ‘no’
Aya is devastated. She runs to her friends house and cries…for hours. “You know what?” her friend says after a while, “I have an idea! Let’s ask if the coach at PS4L can help us.”
They meet Yumon. Yumon has been a coach with PS4L for a long time, she understands well what Aya is going through. She herself had struggled with the prejudice of her community when she started playing football. And Aya wasn’t the first girl who wanted to join but wasn’t allowed to.
After they talked for a while, Yumon offers to come over to Aya’s home to meet with her mother. There is hope.
Aya couldn’t sit still in school the day Yumon was going to visit her. As soon as the bell rings, she leapes out of the class room and runs home.
Shortly after, Yumon is at the door. Her mother invites her in and they start to talk about her doubts and fears of letting her daughter play football in public. Yumon tells her that sports are a unique way to teach young people important life skills like time management, communication and discipline. She assures her that Aya will be safe with her, she will thrive within the team!
Since that day, Aya attends football training twice per week with a match or two on weekends. On days off, she goes to the gym to maintain and improve her physical health.
Many men in the gym judge her, gyms are only for men they say. This sounds familiar.
With her team and coaches, Aya can adress these issues. They encourage her to keep going to the gym despite of what people say. Even though the comments get to her from time to time, she is really glad to do what she wants to do. To be herself.
Shortly after joining PS4L, her grades start to improve. She understands that education – be it physical or formal – needs time, dedication and perseverance. Thanks to football, she graduated as one of the best from her class.
Because of sport Aya feels much more confident to speak up and tell others what she thinks. She deals with wins and losses. She motivates and encourages others. So many important life lessons she would’ve missed if she had given in to the pressure of the society around her.
Today, Aya feels better than ever. She can finally be who she wants to be. She sets goals for her personal and professional life and works towards them. Her story is a testament to not only how sport can transform lives; it also shows how it can create a level playing field for women and promote gender equality – a key pillar of the Street Child World Cup 2022.
Today, Aya feels better than ever. She can finally be who she wants to be. She sets goals for her personal and professional life and works towards them. Her story is a testament that not only how sport can transform lives; but how it can create a level playing field for women and promote gender equality – This is a key pillar of the Street Child World Cup 2022.
