#Wholesome2023: Hope Amid Gloom, As Manipuri Transgender Team Brings Hope to Kids Affected By Violence

Manipur has been in the throes of ethnic violence since May 3, 2023.?

Months of violence and destruction has disrupted the lives of those residing in the state. And the worst affected are children - data shows that roughly 40% of the displaced population are minors who have been cooped up in relief camps.?

Concerns have been raised about the potential psychological issues stemming from the trauma they have faced.?

But amidst this gloom, there is a transgender football team that has been a ray of hope for these children.?Ya_All, a youth network working towards LGBTQIA+ inclusion in Manipur and the North East , and their all-trans football-team have been helping the children in relief camps discover moments of joy amid adversity.?

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Ya_All has been providing free football training to children in the camps, thereby using "Football to Heal, Football for Peace", which is the motto of their campaign.?

It all began when Ya_all founder Sadam Hanjabam, while distributing relief material, witnessed the severe trauma experienced by children in the relief camps first hand.?

Speaking to ANI, Hanjabam said that that's when he began searching for places and camps which had access to a football field.The initiative was launched in early June and has successfully provided training to displaced students across four different locations.?

Ya_All's coaches who provide free football coaching to children at relief camps in Manipur

Yaiphabi Sanasam, a transman player from the Ya_All football team, expressed his joy in witnessing the innocent smiles on the children's faces as they momentarily escape their traumas through football. He also mentioned that teaching the children was a natural extension of their practice, as quoted by Imphal Free Press.?

Founded by Sadam Hanjabam in 2020, Ya_All is recognised by the United Nations as the first registered LGBTQI+ youth-led and focused organisation based in the North East, and works in the areas of health, well-being, gender inequalities, providing comprehensive sex education and spreading awareness through sports.?

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