Aba452
Well-Known Member
Sorry if you stumble upon this thread while looking for something more interesting. For everyone else, this'll be a long 'un, so thank you for your indulgence.
Last Saturday I had to go to a family do and watch the CL final with various redshirt in-laws. Luckily the forces of the Universe aligned, Rodri scored a trademark thunderbastard and all was well with the world.
Anyway had civilised conversations on football, had a barbecue before sitting down for the match.
My wife forced me to go to the back garden to mingle. A few of the younger brothers in law were having a kick about with their sons/ nephews. I meandered over and joined in, was utterly knackered!
After we started playing I noticed a couple of newcomers who I'd not seen before. I should mention that nearly everyone there was of a South Asian background. A young lad, Abdi, came over and joined in.
Abdi had that distinctive East African look, and I later learned he was from Somalia. He admitted to being a Rag but was a sweet kid, more importantly he was a terrific footballer, turning on sixpence, skillful at dribbling with a powerful shot! Anyway we had a nice time and I didn't collapse with a coronary!
As the match started we went inside, virtually everyone apart from me and my wife urging Inter on. Particularly when they started attacking in the second half, my wife would scream and swear like a trooper, imploring us to clear it! The kids especially loved their auntie going all potty mouthed.
Anyway Abdi and what turned out to be his foster mum went soon after the whistle, he was very well mannered and always smiling.
Eventually as others left, there was a small group left and I found out Abdi's story. He is 15 and his mother was shot dead in the political violence in Somalia. His father paid for him and his younger sister to be I guess trafficked to Egypt. At an Egyptian port they let him get on a boat but refused to let his sister pass.
Abdi's boat was picked up by the Italian authorities and eventually he ended up in NW England. He is currently being fostered by relatives of my in laws. This young, well spoken kid one of the rags' 6 billion (!), hasn't seen or heard from either his younger sister or his dad, doesn't know if they're alive or dead. He's a remarkable person and I hope his story has a happy ending.
I have thought about what he's been through and it would be enough to traumatize most of us. We take so many things for granted including our relationships, try to be the very best version of yourself that you can.
Last Saturday I had to go to a family do and watch the CL final with various redshirt in-laws. Luckily the forces of the Universe aligned, Rodri scored a trademark thunderbastard and all was well with the world.
Anyway had civilised conversations on football, had a barbecue before sitting down for the match.
My wife forced me to go to the back garden to mingle. A few of the younger brothers in law were having a kick about with their sons/ nephews. I meandered over and joined in, was utterly knackered!
After we started playing I noticed a couple of newcomers who I'd not seen before. I should mention that nearly everyone there was of a South Asian background. A young lad, Abdi, came over and joined in.
Abdi had that distinctive East African look, and I later learned he was from Somalia. He admitted to being a Rag but was a sweet kid, more importantly he was a terrific footballer, turning on sixpence, skillful at dribbling with a powerful shot! Anyway we had a nice time and I didn't collapse with a coronary!
As the match started we went inside, virtually everyone apart from me and my wife urging Inter on. Particularly when they started attacking in the second half, my wife would scream and swear like a trooper, imploring us to clear it! The kids especially loved their auntie going all potty mouthed.
Anyway Abdi and what turned out to be his foster mum went soon after the whistle, he was very well mannered and always smiling.
Eventually as others left, there was a small group left and I found out Abdi's story. He is 15 and his mother was shot dead in the political violence in Somalia. His father paid for him and his younger sister to be I guess trafficked to Egypt. At an Egyptian port they let him get on a boat but refused to let his sister pass.
Abdi's boat was picked up by the Italian authorities and eventually he ended up in NW England. He is currently being fostered by relatives of my in laws. This young, well spoken kid one of the rags' 6 billion (!), hasn't seen or heard from either his younger sister or his dad, doesn't know if they're alive or dead. He's a remarkable person and I hope his story has a happy ending.
I have thought about what he's been through and it would be enough to traumatize most of us. We take so many things for granted including our relationships, try to be the very best version of yourself that you can.