Football brings hope to children in Iraq

We’ve teamed up with Arsenal to give children living in Iraqi camps safe spaces to play football. Last week, Arsenal ladies’ captain Alex Scott visited the project to find out how it’s helping improve vulnerable children’s lives.

As Alex saw, the chance to play football can make a huge difference to children, giving them the opportunity to make friends and escape the stresses of their situation.

“The impact that football is having on these children’s lives is incredible,” says Alex.

“Having escaped violence and war with only the clothes on their backs, football is giving them back a childhood and some normality after everything they’ve been through.”

A chance to be children

Thanks to generous donations from Arsenal fans and players, The Arsenal Foundation has been able to fund football pitches in two camps in Iraq, where these children who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict are currently living.

So far, the programme has reached more than 2,500 children.

“The bravery and resilience the kids in these camps show is awe-inspiring and has really put things into perspective for me,” Alex said.

“But beneath the surface, these children have witnessed and experienced terrible atrocities and many have lost loved ones and friends.

“By encouraging team work, instilling a sense of achievement and just by having some fun, football is helping them to recover and giving them a chance of a better future.”

Donate now to help children around the world who are living in crisis.

Hope for the future

One of the girls Alex trained with was twelve-year-old Yasmine* (pictured right). She was forced to flee her home when fighting made it too dangerous to stay.

“When the bombing started I was so scared. It kept getting worse and worse until we had to escape,” she said. “The day we left my home was the worst day of my life.

“I thought we would only be gone for two days so I didn’t say goodbye to my friends. We’ve been stuck in the camp for two years now and life is really hard – it’s hot and dirty and we often get sick.”

But now, the chance to play football is giving Yasmine hope for the future.

“When the football pitch was built it was such a good day,” she says. “I love going there because it makes me forget everything and I can just be happy playing with my friends.

“At first, the boys didn’t like us playing football but now our skills have improved they respect us more. If I keep training every day I hope that one day I can be a female football player just like Alex.”

Reflecting on her visit, Alex said, “It has been truly inspiring to see the power that football can have.”

Watch this video about Alex’s time in Iraq.

Please donate now to help children living in crisis around the world.

*Names changed to protect identity.