My

Story

Hussein

“I grew up in Dar es Salaam in a lower-class family. Unfortunately, my Dad died when I was two so since then my Mam was the one who took care of everything. After finishing primary school, I unfortunately didn’t get the chance to proceed onto secondary school. I was supposed to just stay around the streets doing nothing.

However, I thought that I should engage myself in sports and that it would maybe help me to develop both mentally and physically. It could even possibly open other opportunities of a better life for me. I played in different local teams along the streets where I lived. At the same time, I took as many English classes as I could as I thought that by having a good level of English it would increase my chances of receiving opportunities.

When I was 16, I was scouted by our football association to take part in trials for the U.17 national team. Unfortunately, during the trials I got a bad knee injury which ruled me out. The treatment I received for my knee wasn’t good and it took me a number of years to get back playing.

By then I was 24 and not at the same level as I once was. I then met a friend who I used to play with and he told me he was now coaching kids. He invited me to come along to one of the trainings and see if it was something that I would also like to do. I thought to myself that it could be an opportunity for me, to make sure I fulfil my dreams of working in football and maybe I can help kids to fulfil their goals in sport. So, I went to the training session and from that day on I have been involved in coaching. It was really a great feeling for me to see the improvement in the kids due to my coaching and that’s why I decided to stick with it.

I really enjoy coaching. I can have my stress at home but once I step onto the field with the kids everything changes. I always have a good time; my day finishes happily and I can go back home having enjoyed everything I just did with the kids.

I also volunteer in my spare time to coach street children. Due to my experience of staying around the streets after primary school, I understand that they should also have the opportunity to play. I can now use the educational games which I have learnt through this training to further educate and help develop these neglected youths and also at the same time I can use these activities with the other kids I coach regularly.”