Hope is a Volleyball

Springs of Hope
Jun 23
6 min read

This week we swing our focus back to Kurdistan. Our work is now in its eleventh year and into well established maturity, although we are constantly encountering situations that are new to us. The past two months we have been zoning in, yet again, on womens’ rights, and equal opportunity for women, not a “for granted” in our region.

When our blue doors opened, it was with a conscious decision that all education would be co-ed, there would be no separation of males and females in any of our activities. There were of course those tent dwellers who opposed our decision although they softened over time as they saw nothing but mutual honor and respect grow.

One area where we have worked hard for equality is in sports, often being met with the retort “girls can't do that!” We have proved that yes they can. Our focus today is on a recent volleyball championship, between refugee camp teams, and including young women. Totally radical and wonderfully successful.

As always we give space for the voices of those who participated.

“The opening of such tournaments is an important step to strengthen the social fabric of our society, giving particular place to the girls and youth. The participation of the girls and teams from camps all over Duhok province brought great anticipation and excitement which built up as the tournament progressed. The players commented on the spirit of cooperation, of equality, and of social cohesion and understanding. It was also a great opportunity for different camps to connect all in the spirit of sport.”

Ayhan.

Walid

"My name is Walid, I am 19 years old from Shariya Camp. This was a special tournament as the engagement with players from other camps was a way to professionally engage with strangers, and a means of testing our intelligence and sports ethics.

Living in a tent for over ten years now is hard. Yes we have settled into a routine, but we all lack interaction with others with a like mind from other camps, and lack exercise and fresh air. The tournament, and all of its preparation provided these. My team lost but our enthusiasm has not waned, I learned much about myself as I played and I saw how my ethics in playing volleyball actually reflect in my day to day life.

Cham Mishko camp definitely outshone us all, and were the well deserved winners. I am grateful for the opportunity to raise my level of sportsmanship, and to partner also with the girls whose skills were as strong as those of the males. Maybe the girls had even more discipline than we guys did!!

Thanks to Springs of Hope Foundation for once again breaking through into new ground!"

Walid

Nawas

"I am Nawas, and worked alongside Shex Sirwan the SOHF Coach, as one of the organisers namely assistant referee, event recorder and live match observer. Springs of Hope as always impressed us with a well oiled, well organised tournament, marked for its spirit of seriousness, a high moral standard and peace.

Despite the different viewpoints amongst the players, they accepted the female players as equals and treated them with the highest respect. Every camp had its own style of play, and each held an impressive moral standard.

The excitement was tangible, and all teams commented upon the privilege of playing inside the both colourful yet calm centre created by Springs of Hope, which transported them outside the realms of a refugee camp.

The tournament opened a door of hope for more than twenty players, both male and female. Those who won will aim still higher, and those who lost found the continually positive and encouraging atmosphere the reason to continue to focus on self improvement in upcoming courses.

Heartfelt thanks to Springs of Hope for their continuous belief in the transformative power of Hope, even in the world of sports and volleyball."

Nawas

Sara Haji

"Hello everyone, my name is Sara Haji and I am 20 years old.

I am a young woman, I believe in my passion and possess strong sports skills, especially volleyball which gives me indescribable energy. Volleyball is way more than a game to me, it is my dream, my path, my identity, it is something that I fight for every day.

The road for me as a woman is not easy, there are constant challenges which require determination and strength of spirit to confront and move ahead. I will share just a couple.

Firstly, confronting the Yezidi society and community who do not believe that the place for women is in sports or on a volleyball court. Every time I mention a training session or a game, I hear the same words "This profession is not for you." I’ve heard “you can go to the match, just watch and cheer from the side." That is supposed to placate me but it is not my dream to be on the side. My dream is to play, to be in the heart of the court, to fight and to win. I will not settle for less.

I will not give up. I train, and this has been one of my difficulties, finding a coach who is willing to train women. I am grateful to Springs of Hope that they are totally equal opportunity, girls are out there on the sports field alongside the boys, all are focused and determined, with one goal in mind, to be the best and to win.

Today, I train hard, I play and I win. By doing that I prove to my community that dreams do not depend upon gender, they depend upon determination and persistance.

I am grateful to SOHF for believing in my dream and my abilities, and giving me the tangible backing that I need to reach my dream."

Sara Haji

Amsha Omer

"Hello there, my name is Amsha Omer, 20 years old. Playing volleyball is my passion and as a tent dweller has literally saved my mental health as camp life for over a decade is emotionally exhausting.

I began learning sports and playing volleyball with Springs of Hope Foundation a few years ago. From the get go I admired the openness to women players. I noticed that they were treated with total respect and their skills were recognised and not swept to the side or undermined in any way. We girls are equals out there on the court. I have never experienced any form of discrimination, not in behaviour or in speech. We are one, share the same passion and have the same goal, to be the best and to win.

My dream is to become a distinguished player, and to reach international recognition. Thank you for believing in me. Thanks to Shex Sirwan who gives equal opportunity, equal training, equal correction and equal encouragement to both sexes."

Amsha Omer

“Any place where women are not respected enough or provided enough opportunities to grow and develop, can not be a progressive place.”

Tapan Singhel

"I am excited to host such tournaments. Many of the players have moved camps during the past decade so it is often a chance for them to reunite with lost friends. The tournaments open up the restricted world of the camp, we love seeing the buses or the pick ups pull into our centre, with would be international sportspeople pouring out, and the camp dwellers pouring in to support.

These tournaments are a camp highlight, with everyone tracking their progress, the winners and when the next match will be. In the hours following we hear everyone’s opinion, and “professional" evaluation.

It brings me as a Coach the highest satisfaction that we have created a safe space for the girls to develop their talent and to participate in tournaments. They have earned the highest level of respect and it is a joy to see them on the sports field."

SOHF Coach

Thanks once again to SOHF for always being willing to back our girls and to move us forward.

Can you help?

Your generous support is making is possible for girls to have equal opportunities to fulfil their passion for sport in a safe space with respect and recognition.