For years Tayyaba felt alone. Born profoundly Deaf, she struggled throughout her childhood to communicate with her parents and often felt cut off from the outside world. Her older sister – also born Deaf – was married off at an early age and Tayyaba feared her fate would be the same.
Then she came into contact with Slum Soccer, an organisation that supports D/deaf young people in India, using football to engage them, teach them leadership skills and introduce them to a wider D/deaf community.
Tayyaba started attending sessions at Slum Soccer’s nearby grounds and was soon hooked. She shared her experiences with us via an interpreter:
“It was by chance that I came to know about [Slum Soccer]. I had enrolled myself into a local D/deaf school.”
“The DeafKidz sessions give me confidence, improve my self-esteem, and revitalise me. I get to learn not only football but so many life lessons in sign language, something that doesn’t happen even in my school.”
On the field, Tayyaba transforms into a role model for girls around her. She can play a variety of positions but is at her most comfortable as goalie.
And off the field she now has a large community of friends and coaches – most of whom are also Deaf – who she shares her dreams and fears with. She also formed a special connection with coach Shiba who she turns to with all her problems, and even uses her as a translator every time she needs to tell her parents something:
“I call her [coach Shiba] at odd hours of day and night, just so that she tells my parents what’s bothering me about them. She is just like a mother to me.”
Deaf children in India are often undiagnosed and living in very poor conditions, feeling lonely and neglected. Slum Soccer coaches bond with these young people through the football sessions, teaching them sign language, helping them to get any medical support they may need and supporting them to attend school. Through playing football and working with their coaches, the children learn to communicate better, feel less isolated and grow in confidence.
Tayyaba’s father says the family were initially reluctant for her to play football at the project, but are now learning with her:
“Since none of our family members have any knowledge and awareness about Deaf people’s language, we have often avoided talking to Tayyaba.... Since she has started attending football sessions she has become more active, engaged and focused in her life. She even demands that her mother explain household work to her so that she can assist her. Every day, on her return from the session, she gathers everyone and she shares her learning with us.
Football has opened Tayyaba up to possibilities that were not in her life before. She recognises the changes in her and feels there are now no limits to her potential. In the future, she would like to become a DeafKidz coach.
“I was always shy earlier, now I have this faith inside me that I can do everything on my own. I can think more clearly about what I want to do with my life.”
“Playing football made me come out of the house and meet people. I always knew I was a fast learner but now I know I can just go out and figure my way out in life!”