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STORY: LEBANON / SYRIAN REFUGEE KICKBOXING
TRT: 2:51
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT UNHCR ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: ARABIC / NATS
DATELINE: 26 FEBRUARY 2021, ANJAR, LEBANON
26 FEBRUARY 2021, ANJAR, LEBANON
1. Various shots, kickboxing gloves and pads
2. Wide shot, wall of medals and certificates
3. Close up, Kickboxing medals hanging on the wall
4. Close up, Alaa putting on boxing gloves
5. Wide shot, Alaa and her husband sparring
6. Med shot, Alaa and her husband sparring
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Alaa, Syrian refugee:
“Ever since I was young, I liked sports and different types of fitness. I liked this form of fitness because I felt it can give me strength and I felt my self-confidence grew through kickboxing.”
8. Various shots, Alaa giving online lesson, shadow boxing
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Alaa, Syrian refugee:
“When I came to Lebanon, my friends and I would end up having fitness sessions during our gatherings. Due to COVID-19, it became difficult for us to meet up so we decided to continue our sessions online.”
10. Close up, Alaa’s finger on her laptop’s trackpad
11. Close up, over the shoulder shot with the laptop in front of her
12. Various shots, Alaa giving an online lesson, warming up
13. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Duaa, Syrian refugee:
“I’ve been training for a year almost. I had depression, but thankfully, it was over 6 months into my practice. With exercise and movement, I lost weight, which encouraged me. I also met new people because I don’t know anyone in Lebanon, and I don’t have family here.”
14. Med shot, Alaa and family training
15. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rawiya, Lebanese class participant”
“I’ve known Alaa for three years and I currently train with her. Fitness plays a big role in our lives and has benefitted us. During the lockdown, we started engaging our children in these sessions and my husband would join us sometimes in the morning.”
16. Various shots, Alaa watching her husband and her son sparring
17. Close up, Alaa holding her glove high in front of the camera
18. Wide shot, Alaa and her husband standing with their boxing gloves on
Alaa may be a refugee but she is also a vision of strength, inspiring both Syrian and Lebanese women to use sports and fitness to build self-confidence and community, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Alaa, Syrian refugee:
“Ever since I was young, I liked sports and different types of fitness. I liked this form of fitness because I felt it can give me strength and I felt my self-confidence grew through kickboxing.”
There are many ways to find one’s inner strength. For Alaa, it’s kickboxing and Muay Thai.
Since fleeing Syria in 2015, she has shared her passion for fitness with Syrian and Lebanese women
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Alaa, Syrian refugee:
“When I came to Lebanon, my friends and I would end up having fitness sessions during our gatherings. Due to COVID-19, it became difficult for us to meet up so we decided to continue our sessions online.”
Alaa’s online classes have helped women going through the COVID-19 pandemic build strength, self-confidence and community across social distances.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Duaa, Syrian refugee:
“I’ve been training for a year almost. I had depression, but thankfully, it was over 6 months into my practice. With exercise and movement, I lost weight, which encouraged me. I also met new people because I don’t know anyone in Lebanon, and I don’t have family here.”
Alaa’s kickboxing coach is her husband, Amin. Fitness is a family affair for her and the women she trains
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rawiya, Lebanese class participant”
“I’ve known Alaa for three years and I currently train with her. Fitness plays a big role in our lives and has benefitted us. During the lockdown, we started engaging our children in these sessions and my husband would join us sometimes in the morning.”
Alaa is a refugee, and a model of strength in the face of life’s challenges.
