The Fugees

　There is a unique youth soccer team/in the US.// The team was named “the Fugees”/because the members were all refugees.//
　The team is based in Clarkston,/Georgia.// Clarkston used to be/a small, traditional town.// In the 1980s,/the town was chosen/as a place/where refugees started their new lives.// Since then,/a lot of refugees/have come to the town.// Some of the citizens/were not happy about this.// However,/the local government continued accepting refugees.//
　The town changed dramatically/within a decade.// A school had students/from over 50 countries.// Ethnic restaurants and shops were opened.// Different languages were spoken/by a variety of people.// Clarkston became a diverse community.//

　The team was founded/by Luma Mufleh.// She was the coach/of a girls’ soccer team/in Clarkston.//
　One day in 2004,/Luma saw some refugee boys.// They were playing soccer/on the street.// As they looked happy,/she asked,/“Can I play soccer with you?”// The boys were suspicious/at first.// However,/once they played together,/the boys noticed her soccer skills.// That was the moment/when they changed their attitude.//
　Later,/Luma learned about the boys’ past.// She realized/that they were able to forget about it/while they were playing soccer.// She also understood the feeling of isolation/because she herself came from Jordan/at the age of 18.// She wanted to do something/for the boys.//

　Luma started teaching soccer/to the refugee boys.// The team practiced every week/on a public field.// In practice,/Luma emphasized/the importance of teamwork,/and the boys trusted her.// That was the reason/why they continued training hard.// Soon,/the team made progress.//
　Yet,/there were some problems.// Some boys were bullied at school,/and others joined gangs.// Luma encouraged such boys,/saying,/“Focus on soccer/and make friends with your teammates.”//
　In addition,/many of the boys/had not received enough education/in their home countries.// Some of them could not read or write.// They could not do simple calculations,/either.// Luma supported them/by providing private lessons/after school.// This was helpful for them/to catch up with their classmates.//

　The Fugees gradually became a better team/and attracted people/in Clarkston.// In 2007,/the team was featured/in The New York Times .// Many people in the US/learned about the team/and also started to cheer for it.// Some people even donated money.//
　With the donations,/a school was established/for refugee students.// It was named the Fugees Academy.// At this school,/the class size is smaller/than that of other schools.// The school has been very successful.// All of the first graduates/went on to college.//
　The young refugees still have difficulty/living in the new community.// However,/thanks to the Fugees,/they can feel accepted/and find a way/to a bright future.//