This is Osama– Finding Home Through Football and Compassion
I’m Osama Almahmoud, a 35-year-old Syrian refugee who arrived in Northern Ireland in October 2020. I’m a football coach, I work for a local charity, and someone who dreams of teaching English to help others connect. My journey hasn’t been easy - fleeing war, leaving behind my home, family, and friends - but through football and community, I’ve found a new home in Belfast. As part of the "This is Me" campaign, I want to share my story to show that despite our differences, we’re all human, striving for connection and a better life.
A New Beginning in Belfast
I never planned to leave Syria. I studied English Literature at university there, but when the war started, I had no choice but to flee for safety. Arriving in Northern Ireland during the pandemic was tough. I knew English well, but I took ESOL courses to improve, knowing how important it is to connect with people here. Language is a bridge, and I wanted to cross it.
I settled in East Belfast, where I found a welcoming community as well as a beautiful surrounding countryside. Friends had told me Northern Ireland was kind and friendly, and they were right. Belfast has become my home - a place where people know each other and share a sense of fun. It’s not just where I live; it’s where I belong.
Football: My Passion and My Purpose
Football has been my lifeline. I’ve played since I was a kid, and it’s more than a game - it’s my passion and my job. When I arrived, the pandemic made it hard to join a local club, but in 2021, I found Street Soccer NI, a charity that uses football to transform lives for disadvantaged groups like the homeless, refugees, ex-prisoners, and those with mental health or addiction challenges. I started as a volunteer and after a year I got a part time role. And now I work full-time, helping others find hope through sport.
I also play for Willowfield FC, a local East Belfast team. Football has helped me integrate, meet people, and feel part of the community. I’ve been proud to captain Street Soccer NI’s team at the Homeless World Cup in the USA and represent Northern Ireland at UEFA’s Unity Cup in Switzerland in 2024. I’m excited for the 2025 Unity Cup in Amsterdam, where our mixed team of locals and refugees will promote social inclusion. Football doesn’t see skin colour or religion - it sees people. That’s why it’s so powerful.
Giving Back Through Compassion
Beyond coaching, I work providing support to homeless people. I know what it’s like to lose everything - my home, my friends, the safety of the familiar. It’s scary. That’s why I help provide food, clothes, and warm blankets to anyone in need, whether they’re refugees, ex-prisoners, or sofa surfers. Homelessness doesn’t discriminate, and neither do I. Every small act of kindness matters.
At Street Soccer NI, I also translate for new refugees, helping them navigate their new lives. Many are so grateful and eager to learn English to say “thank you” themselves. I know how much that means because I’ve been there.
Dreaming of Teaching
My dream is to become an English teacher. I studied literature in Syria, and I see teaching as another way to help people connect, just like football. Fluency in English opens doors - it builds confidence and belonging. I want to give others the tools to integrate and thrive, just as I’ve tried to do.
Breaking Down Barriers
Belfast has given me so much - friends, a community, a purpose. I love working with different organisations to support people here. But I’ve also faced challenges as a refugee. Some people judge before they know me, assuming I don’t belong. That’s why I support the "This is Me" campaign. I want to show who I am: a Syrian who fled war and has come here to make a home and live in peace and quiet. I couldn’t work at first, so I volunteered for the first year. And for the last four years, I’ve worked hard, paid my way, and helped others, all while building a life here.
Football shows me that we can be different and still be friends. On the pitch, we’re all human, chasing the same ball, sharing the same goals. I want people to see past stereotypes - to see me as Osama, a coach, a work colleague, a friend, and someone who loves Belfast.
This is Me
I’m not just a refugee. I’m a footballer, a teacher-in-waiting, and a friend to this city. My story is about finding home in Belfast, using football to build bridges, and helping others feel less alone. Through the "This is Me" campaign, I hope to inspire empathy and show that we’re all more alike than we think. Let’s kick away fear and division, one goal at a time.
“On the pitch, we’re just people chasing the same goal.”
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