Posted on Nov 12, 2023
Afghan refugees in Kansas City create a new routine where soccer, culture and English practice...
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Informal soccer matches every Saturday on the open fields at Shawnee Mission North High School let Afghan refugees visit with people from their home country and speak their native languages. It's also a chance to improve their English.
One Saturday in October, Sayed Reza Hosseini and his young son Sayed Jawad Hosseini spent about two hours playing soccer on opposing teams at Shawnee Mission North High School.
Their teammates on the open field were around 15 to 20 refugees from Afghanistan who arrived over the past five years, along with Afghan–Americans of different ages and various cultural backgrounds. They speak English and two of Afghanistan's national languages, Dari and Pashto, with different accents. Every weekend, and sometimes during the week if they have time, they come together to play soccer.
“It is not only playing soccer or sports to release mental pressure, but it also builds and supports our social communication, especially for my kids,” Hosseini said. “They can visit regularly their people from our original country, and they can speak in their native language."
The weekly games have also helped Hosseini improve his English, which he said is getting better every day.
One Saturday in October, Sayed Reza Hosseini and his young son Sayed Jawad Hosseini spent about two hours playing soccer on opposing teams at Shawnee Mission North High School.
Their teammates on the open field were around 15 to 20 refugees from Afghanistan who arrived over the past five years, along with Afghan–Americans of different ages and various cultural backgrounds. They speak English and two of Afghanistan's national languages, Dari and Pashto, with different accents. Every weekend, and sometimes during the week if they have time, they come together to play soccer.
“It is not only playing soccer or sports to release mental pressure, but it also builds and supports our social communication, especially for my kids,” Hosseini said. “They can visit regularly their people from our original country, and they can speak in their native language."
The weekly games have also helped Hosseini improve his English, which he said is getting better every day.
Afghan refugees in Kansas City create a new routine where soccer, culture and English practice...
Posted from kcur.org
Afghanistan
Refugees
Immigration
Mission
Soccer
Posted 6 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."“It is very hard to see your family struggling to live in a bad situation, especially from the security and economic perspective back home,” he said of his time in Afghanistan.
“I am happy because I could find new friends,” Hamid said. He loves his new neighborhood in Overland Park. “This is a very beautiful and safe area," he said, adding that he appreciates the stores and parks nearby and that he was surprised by the "huge demand for jobs.”
Afghanzai works as an estimator with Blue Scope Buildings North America, helping to determine how much iron is needed for construction of a building.
"Keeping the balance between family time, work, and friends makes it more fun for me,” he said. "It feels good since there are many people from different countries living in Kansas City, and when you are involved in an activity you will realize that you are not the only immigrant who lives here and (this) makes you feel comfortable.”
The players have created a WhatsApp group to communicate and schedule times to play and make new friends.
"Someone who joins us for the first time introduces himself to another team member," Afghanzai said.
Often joining the group is Ben Ahsahyah, a UMKC graduate student.
“I enjoy playing with the Afghans. It is a great experience. I am experiencing a different culture and language,” he said. “They are very friendly and know how to have fun."
..."“It is very hard to see your family struggling to live in a bad situation, especially from the security and economic perspective back home,” he said of his time in Afghanistan.
“I am happy because I could find new friends,” Hamid said. He loves his new neighborhood in Overland Park. “This is a very beautiful and safe area," he said, adding that he appreciates the stores and parks nearby and that he was surprised by the "huge demand for jobs.”
Afghanzai works as an estimator with Blue Scope Buildings North America, helping to determine how much iron is needed for construction of a building.
"Keeping the balance between family time, work, and friends makes it more fun for me,” he said. "It feels good since there are many people from different countries living in Kansas City, and when you are involved in an activity you will realize that you are not the only immigrant who lives here and (this) makes you feel comfortable.”
The players have created a WhatsApp group to communicate and schedule times to play and make new friends.
"Someone who joins us for the first time introduces himself to another team member," Afghanzai said.
Often joining the group is Ben Ahsahyah, a UMKC graduate student.
“I enjoy playing with the Afghans. It is a great experience. I am experiencing a different culture and language,” he said. “They are very friendly and know how to have fun."
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