It was here that we met MaMi, a man whose smile erases the shadow of adversity. A former footballer and devoted Real Madrid fan, his life changed in 2010 during an ordinary match. A knee fracture, neglected for lack of means, became infected. Months later in Algiers, the diagnosis was merciless: a vital amputation was necessary, as a tumor had been discovered.
Faced with this fate, MaMi chose to rise again. Three years after his amputation, he returned to the pitch he had never truly left. Playing on one leg, leaning on crutches, he became “Coach MaMi,” dedicating his life to training two youth teams and passing on his passion.
The Challenge of Courage
With a mischievous spark in his eyes, he declared: “Stop my shot if you can!” Confident, I took my place in goal.
But his demonstration was masterful—juggles, precise strikes, and finally a thunderous shot into the top corner. Abdelhak, our UNHCR driver, tried his luck and conceded five goals.
Humbled yet admiring, we understood that every gesture from MaMi was a victory over fate. His talent extends beyond football. He proudly showed us videos of himself excelling in wheelchair basketball and swimming with ease, defying the limits imposed by his disability.
The Heir with Shining Eyes
Throughout the demonstration, his three-year-old son, Mohamed Amine, followed his father with stars in his
eyes. Clutching a ball almost as big as himself, he already embodied the next generation.
Resilience in Daily Life
Yet MaMi’s greatest challenge unfolded in his khaima, where he welcomed us with overwhelming generosity.
There, the true pillar of his strength appeared: his 63-yearold mother. In her gaze we read immense pride, a quiet strength forged through decades of exile. She embodied the generation that sacrificed everything and continues to carry her family with dignity.
Heritage and Future
Around the tea prepared by MaMi himself, three generations gathered:
- The mother, symbol of memory and endurance.
- Coach MaMi, symbol of resilience and present struggle.
- Mohamed Amine, symbol of the future and renewal.
That simple scene said it all: a people in exile, yet a lineage strong, united, and full of hope.
Our Role in Their Story
The story of Coach MaMi is the story of an entire people.
Supporting projects in the Sahrawi camps is not just about providing aid—it is about enabling mothers to continue inspiring, sons to keep fighting, and grandsons to dream.
Let us support these generations of courage. Let us help them win their match against adversity.