GH: ACCORDING TO THE UNHCR, APPROXIMATELY 3.7 MILLION REFUGEE CHILDREN ARE OUT OF SCHOOL. THIS PAST FEBRUARY, YOU HELPED THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT LAUNCH THE “TOGETHER FOR LEARNING” CAMPAIGN. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT CAMPAIGN AND WHY IT HOLDS SO MUCH SIGNIFICANCE TO YOU?
This campaign aims to make sure refugee children and children from the communities that host them can go to schools that are safe and allow all children, boys and girls alike, a place to be their best. The fact that so many refugee kids are out of school makes me sad, and I want to help end the stigma and the negative attitude around refugees. We are all human beings and deserve to be treated equally and fairly no matter our background, skin colour, or religion. As an athlete, I have a platform, and I want to use it to spread this message.
AD: When the pandemic started, I teamed up with footballer Asmir Begovic to raise money to help refugees. The funds we raised during the livestream helped UNHCR provide soap and clean water. Imagine how hard it is to socially distance in a refugee camp, where everything is already very cramped! It was amazing to connect to those kids. They all wanted to be exactly like me. But I was happy they had backup plans if they don’t make it as soccer players. Rachelle in Liberia intends to be a nurse, Nouri wants to work in a pharmacy, and Jacob is still figuring out what he wants to do. HERMON: DO YOU HAVE ADVICE FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO LOVE PLAYING SOCCER? HOW CAN I GET BETTER? WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR A YOUNG PERSON LIKE ME?
AD: Just play your game. When you go onto the field, always give 100 percent.
Here are my tips for getting stronger and improving your game: Make sure to always play with a smile on your face. If you're having fun, it will make it easier to improve because you'll want to. Make sure to train on your own time and not just with your team. Go to a field or find some space in or around your home. Start juggling and working on your touches as much as you can. Touch the ball as many times as possible when you're training alone. Watch football on TV. It will help you understand the game better, so it is always good to watch games closely. Especially players who play in the position you play. When you’re a professional, you also have to do more than play soccer. Sometimes you have to go far from home and learn new languages. I am learning German right now. It’s not easy. You also need to stay true to yourself. I promised my mom when I left for Vancouver that I would continue to be a good person. It’s important to respect people and to stay humble. DONATE AT UNHCR.ORG/ALPHONSO-DAVIES
© UNHCR/SELIM MEDDEB HAMROUNI
© UNHCR/FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN
GH: IN ADDITION TO THE “TOGETHER FOR LEARNING” CAMPAIGN, YOU'VE ALSO BEEN A PART OF A LIVESTREAM TOURNAMENT FOR REFUGEES AND, MOST RECENTLY, A VIDEO
WITH FOOTBALL COMMUNITY 433, WHICH CONNECTS YOU TO THREE YOUNG REFUGEES IN LIBERIA, CANADA, AND GERMANY. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR COLLABORATION WITH THIS SOCCER COMMUNITY?
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