When I was in Turkey I had an accident and for seven months I was not walking. I used to stand on the balcony looking at people and wishing to walk like them and to go to school too. Eight months later, I started to walk. I was so happy because I could go to school and I also learnt Turkish.
After seven months, I came to Greece and I made some friends. They told me they were going to play football there and I asked them if I could join too. They said, “Sure!” I went to play with them and I joined a girls team. I was the best one on the team!
Giovara sharpens her shooting skills on the concrete football pitch in Ritsona.
One of the friends I made was David, from Holland. He taught me how to play football while I was in Lesvos, and he encouraged me to play. I also translated for him. After a while, I became a coach for women and children. A year later, David went back to Holland and I didn’t expect to see him for a while.
One day, I went to a party and my friends told me they had a surprise for me. My sister covered my eyes and I didn’t know what was going on. Finally, when I opened my eyes, I saw David! I was so surprised because I didn’t expect David to be there.
When we moved to Athens, David came to see us again. I hope to see him soon.
About the Author: Giovara is 16 and originally from Syria. She speaks Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish and English and she wants to be an English teacher. She has been in Greece for 1 year and 10 months, 4 of those in Ritsona refugee camp. Giovara attends activities at Lighthouse Relief's Youth Engagement Space, including yoga, boxing, and creative writing.