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Football-mad Sophina set to do the Congo
"I JUST want to help people."
That's the simple message from 21-year-old Sophina Hanif as she prepares to fly to Africa to try and unite war-torn communities.
Sophina, who lives in Tinsley and comes from a Pakistani family, knows she faces enormous cultural battles both at home and abroad but she's ready for the challenge.
"I'm quite a rebel," laughs Sophina, moments after having her final injections for yellow fever.
"I'm not your traditional Asian girl. I respect my culture and my family but at the same time I want to break down barriers both in England and in Africa.
"I know this kind of work will be culturally sensitive for me as a woman, and as an Asian woman, but I'm ready for that."
Next month Sophina starts a bio chemistry degree at The University of Sheffield but first she will spend a month in the Democratric Republic of Congo, a country ripped apart by civil war and clan violence.
Sophina is a volunteer with Sheffield-based anti-racism organisation Football Unites Racism Divides.
The 21-year-old, who plays for Sheffield Wednesday ladies, signed up as a Millennium Volunteer five years ago to help put a women's team together.
She hasn't looked back and now coaches youngsters and helps run development programmes.
"It's quite rare to find Asians playing and coaching football and it's even rarer to find Asian women in the game," explains Sophina, who studied for her level one FA coaching badge and has enjoyed a stint as a paid development worker.
She travels to Congo with another FURD development worker to establish the organisation's 'Football Between Communities' project.
Bloodshed in the country means more than half of all children aged over six are orphans.
Now FURD wants to use football as a tool to encourage peace and reconciliation.
"I've been so blessed in my life and I want to give something to the kids who haven't been as fortunate as I have," said Sophina, who boxes at Woodseats Amateur Boxing Club.
"Around 70 per cent of children in the Sud Kivu area don't have access to education and that's incredible."
Whilst based in DR Congo, where 60 per cent of the population still live in displaced areas, Sophina will lead coaching sessions, educate youngsters about HIV, Aids and malaria.
She's also looking forward to a festival at the end of the four-week programme.
"I play guitar and African drums in a band and we're going to have a celebration before we come home. I hope I can get some drumming in!"
Sophina is extremely grateful for the opportunities volunteering has provided and recommends it to any young person.
"It's helped my confidence and I've got stronger and stronger," said Sophina, who also works part time as a carer for a young woman with cerebral palsy.
"I've picked a lot of communication skills and now I'm an ambassador for Football Unites Racism Divides.
"Volunteering has given me the chance to make a difference.
"We can change people's lives and it's a tremendous honour to have the opportunity to go to Africa. I expect to learn so much."
Anyone wishing to donate to the Football Between Communities project and help make a difference can donate through NatWest, Football Between Communities, Account number 2228 0286.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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