Fugees coach speaks to incoming students
At the freshman Connections convocation Saturday morning, Luma Mufleh spoke about her experience as the founder and coach of the Fugees refugee soccer teams in Clarkston, Ga.
When Mufleh left her home in Jordan 15 years ago, she knew she would not be going back, but she did not know the impact she would have on the lives of hundreds of refugee boys living in America.
“Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman’s Quest to Make a Difference” by Warren St. John, a reporter for the New York Times, was the book chosen as the common literature assignment for this year’s Connections class. The book, which started out as just a news article, tells the story of Mufleh and the Fugees.
“It was the surprising sense of kinship of these kids from different cultures, religions, and backgrounds that drew me into the story and made me want to understand and tell it,” St. John said in the introduction to the book.
“I don’t enjoy being written about,” Mufleh said, “but it’s a story that needs to be heard.”
Mufleh was raised in a wealthy family in Jordan, but left that life behind to come to school in America. After graduating from Smith College, she moved to Georgia to begin a life for herself. She did not have any family support and was struggling on her own.
One day she made a wrong turn and came across a group of refugee boys playing soccer. They were barefoot, playing with an old ball, and having the time of their lives, Mufleh said. Mufleh continued to watch these boys play, and on her third visit, joined them.
“And with that,” she said, “the Fugees were born.”
Mufleh said she wanted to coach the kids because she knows how they feel and wanted to understand them better.
“I have an in with these kids and their families because of my background,” she said.
The goal of the Fugees is not just to win soccer games, their other big focus is education.
“It’s not how many games we win,” Mufleh said, “it’s how many kids stay in school and move on to the next level.”
Mufleh spends a lot of time working with the kids on their school work and making sure they are doing well. Along with soccer practices, there are a certain number of hours each player is required to spend in tutoring.
“Just because my kids missed out on their childhood doesn’t mean they have to miss out on their education,” Mufleh said.
Recently, the Fugees purchased 17 acres of land. That land will include their own home field for games and practices as well as a school building. However, they are not going to be able to provide for these things on their own.
Fugees Academy is one of the schools participating in the Kohl’s Cares program. Kohl’s Department Store is donating $10 million to schools across the country. They are giving $500,000 to the top 20 schools who are voted on by Facebook users. Each person gets up to five votes per school and can be done on Facebook through September 3.
Megan Garrido, a biological engineering major and freshman who participated in the Connections class, said “I thought the book was really inspiring. I think that it’s something people need to see and be aware of.”
“I’ve always wanted to help out,” said Shellece Neff, an art major that also participated in the class. “There are so many people who don’t have what we have.”
Mufleh said she does not consider herself a hero to the Fugee boys, she’s just there for them.
Tracie Ediger, the co-founder and team’s manager said, “Putting Luma on a pedestal is counterproductive. She is really a normal person doing what she can for the people around her.”
“No one person can do everything,” she said, “but we can all do something.”
– megan.allen@aggiemail.usu.edu