The Tiger Girls Of Zaatari

 Gharam, Jordan

When the Syrian war broke out in 2011 it caused an exodus of 5.5 million refugees to neighbouring countries. These included Jordan, a country that now hosts 650,000 Syrians, as well as Iraqi, Yemeni, Sudanese and Somali refugees. Jordan has the second highest refugee population per capita in the world. About 85 per cent of refugees in Jordan are urban-based, with the remainder in camps, the largest of which is Zaatari, close to the Syrian border. Since 2012, Zaatari has evolved from a collection of tents to an urban settlement of 76,000 people. Residents are supported by UNHCR, as well as NGOs and the Jordanian government. About 20 per cent are under 5. Football plays a key role, with UNHCR running initiatives for children.

Gharam, 14, is part of the TIGER (‘These Inspiring Girls Enjoy Reading’) Girl project in the camp, which focuses on empowerment for teenage girls. She regularly participates in football tournaments in the camp run through the local UNHCR supported community centre and is a member of the UEFA training program. 

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

The girls are my friends in the UEFA playground in District 9. I wanted to show that football can be played by everyone. Football is important because it gives people a sense of recreation. The photos were during a tournament in the camp. Many organisations had teams participate.

Can you tell us your personal story?

I did not play before I came to Jordan because of the war. I like the Jordanian people, they are nice. In the beginning, I couldn’t develop my skills, but now I have. I love playing football. Football is everything in my life. I wish I could be a professional player. I dream of being a famous footballer.