A Bond Beyond Borders

Fithawit Mihreteab, USA

Fithawit Mihreteab is an 18-year old high school senior, originally from Eritrea and living in Baltimore, USA. She plays football for her high school and with Soccer Without Borders (SWB). SWB is an international nonprofit that uses soccer as a vehicle for positive change. SWB Maryland provides a community for newcomer youth and their families by offering soccer, academic, and social-emotional support, with a focus on providing a safe space for female identifying participants to play.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your soccer life?

My name is Fithawit Mihreteab, I am 18 years old and in the 12th grade. I left my country, Eritrea, at the age of 6. We left because we did not have enough money to support a family, it was really hard. It also just was not safe to live there at the time.

My football life started without me really thinking about it and realising what was happening for me. I had never played soccer before coming to the US or on any team. I started playing soccer after I joined Soccer Without Borders (SWB). I played soccer for fun and to try something new. I did not think I would have enjoyed it this much over the years and make as many lifelong friends as I have. 

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

The main people in my photos are my friends who I have got to know so well, they have become my family. I love playing soccer with them and how I feel being a part of this team with them. We took these photos over summer break where we get to coach and teach younger kids in SWB. It is really fun and we learn so much trying out new leadership roles. 

I tried to show how life-changing SWB has been for me and my friends. I wanted to capture all the little moments that you go home and think about after practice. Capturing moments like that are the best - things that you cannot really explain other than that feeling you get when you look back on them.

The three girls sitting in one of the photos are my closest friends. I met them in elementary school, we went to middle school together, and over the years we all became so close. I think one thing that helped us get closer with each other is joining SWB and getting the chance to play soccer with each other. Those times were great, we have made the most awesome memories. 

I guess it gets a little more personal because we all come from different countries. We represent Eritrea, Syria, and Ethiopia and have all left and come together for different reasons - different reasons that we know were hard for our families. While we might not know all of the details, we know it was one of the most challenging things families go through. We have that bond that people might not understand just from looking at us.

What is your favourite photo?

My favourite photo is the one with my friends, thinking about how it just represents us so well. We do whatever we can to get together and spend time together. Over the summer we work really hard with SWB to be coaches and sometimes those little breaks we get in the middle of a really hot day are ones I think about most.

Why is football important to you and your community?

Football is important to me and my community because that is all we had when we first came to the US. It was a way for me to meet other kids who were different like me and getting used to a new place. It was a safe space to learn English. And I just met a lot of people from different backgrounds, which teaches anyone a lot. I know there are a lot of younger participants coming up after us and I enjoy being someone they can look up to and build this path for them. 

What role does football and SWB play in your life at the moment? Who do you play with?

Football and SWB still play a huge role in my life. I sadly moved a little too far away to be able to play everyday with my friends and team. Sometimes I get a ride when I can, but sometimes I take the bus over an hour each way. After I moved I realised that I can still overcome any obstacle. All my friends are still in SWB so I really try to stay involved however I can. I still talk to them everyday. I am not really playing on any other team at the moment, I do not think I will get the same opportunity ever again like SWB gave me. I am excited to stay involved however I can after I graduate.  

What ambitions do you have for the future?

I am really passionate about art. Next year I plan on attending a local community college to start mapping out a future to pursue graphic design. I will coach for SWB this summer and we will see how I can stay involved after that while balancing school as well.