THE STORY OF SAMA
Prior to Sama, we were Refugym!
From 2018 to 2024, we ran a community-led gym and sports program inside one of the refugee camps in Malakasa.
Our sports program was run
by refugees, for refugees.
This sustainable model meant community members were able to continue accessing a benefiting sports program as we faced increasing restrictions in entering the camp.
Six years of working within the camp structure provided us with a comprehensive understanding of residents’ needs and lived realities, and continues to guide our work every day at Sama.
WATERSPORTS
People are forced to undertake dangerous sea crossings in order to seek asylum in Europe.
Many people are survivors of shipwrecks, and often develop trauma from their journey.
Since 2019, we have offered a unique programme of bringing refugee camp residents to the sea and offering classes in swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.
These lessons are a form of exposure therapy that gently encourage people to overcome their distress associated with the sea.
Our students can form positive associations and reclaim their experience with the water through our trauma-informed lessons.
A TO Z OF SPORTS
Our team members offered their community a literal A to Z of sports activities:
Aerobics
Aerial acrobatics
Basketball
Boxing
Cricket
Dance
Football
Gymnastics
Handball
Hiking
Kayaking
Kung-Fu
Self defence
Step up
Swimming
Stand-up paddling
Taekwondo
Volleyball
Weightlifting
Windsurfing
Women's parties
Wushu
Yoga
Zumba
