A refugee’s dream to build community in the boxing gym | Percival Tussamba | TED & TEDxBrighton

TL;DR

A young refugee shares how boxing helped him find confidence and a sense of belonging in the UK.

Transcript

every pen has a story to tell and every great story starts with a challenge for many young refugees that daunting challenge is finding their voice their confidence and a place to belong my name is Percamba and this is my story i'm from Angola i came to the UK in 2017 as a asylum seeker due to my father's affiliation with fleck fleck stands for the ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌚 Percamba’s journey highlights the multifaceted challenges faced by refugees in seeking belonging in a new country.
• 🥺 The stigma surrounding refugees can lead to feelings of alienation and exclusion, emphasizing the need for understanding and support from local communities.
• 🧑‍🏫 Boxing has served as a transformative tool for Percamba, teaching him survival skills that extend beyond the sport, like mental toughness and perseverance.
• 🤞 PT Square Fitness represents a hopeful initiative aimed at breaking the isolation experienced by many refugees, enhancing their sense of community and self-worth.
• 👥 Personal stories of struggle and resilience are crucial in inspiring others and advocating for systemic changes to support marginalized groups.
• 🌉 The mentorship aspect of sports like boxing can bridge generational gaps, empowering young refugees to become future leaders and advocates.
• ♻️ Building a supportive environment for refugees can help prevent cycles of exclusion and promote a sense of ownership and participation in the community.

Questions & Answers

Q: What led Percamba to flee Angola and seek asylum in the UK?

Percamba fled Angola in 2017 due to his father's political affiliations with the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Kabinda (FLEC). This political turmoil in the resource-rich yet impoverished region of Kabinda made it unsafe for him and his family, prompting their asylum request in the UK.

Q: How did Percamba first feel when he arrived in the UK, and what challenges did he face?

Upon arriving in the UK, Percamba experienced feelings of isolation and exclusion; he was seen as an outsider and misunderstood by the community, which created mistrust. The experience of being labeled as a threat made it difficult for him to find acceptance and belonging in his new environment.

Q: What was Percamba's experience with boxing and how did it change his life?

After joining a boxing club, Percamba initially struggled with the techniques but gradually found a sense of belonging and community support. Boxing taught him mental and physical resilience, improving not only his fighting skills but also his confidence, which positively influenced other areas of his life, including education.

Q: What vision does Percamba have for PT Square Fitness, and how does he plan to impact young refugees?

Percamba envisions PT Square Fitness as a nurturing space for young refugees to connect, train in boxing, and build a supportive community. Through this initiative, he aims to empower them to rewrite their stories, develop self-confidence, and counter feelings of isolation, ultimately creating a new generation of role models within the community.

Q: In what ways did boxing help Percamba deal with academic challenges?

Percamba credits boxing for instilling essential attributes like patience and persistence, which helped him navigate academic difficulties during his university studies. When faced with setbacks, the discipline he gained from boxing enabled him to maintain focus and motivated him to continue toward his goals.

Q: What transformations does Percamba believe boxing can bring to young refugees?

Percamba believes boxing has the power to foster significant transformation by developing physical strength, mental resilience, and a sense of community among young refugees. It allows them to confront challenges head-on, build confidence, and ultimately change the narrative of their lives positively.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker, Percamba, came to the UK from Angola as an asylum seeker, feeling alienated and misunderstood due to his background and circumstances, which stemmed from his father's political affiliations.

• After experiencing isolation and discrimination, he discovered boxing at Oakley ABC, where he learned valuable life skills such as perseverance and grit, transforming his sense of identity.

• Inspired by his journey, Percamba dreams of establishing PT Square Fitness, a place for refugees to find belonging and practice boxing, ultimately empowering them to rewrite their stories and contribute to the community.