18 photos: Wars, poorness and catastrophes - Sometimes football is the only solution.

18 photos: Wars, poorness and catastrophes - Sometimes football is the only solution.

Football is more than huge modern stadiums, business, rich players and corrupted football leaders.

Those 18 photos show you what football really is about: Happiness, friends and a hope in life!

North-Korea

North Korea is widely accused of having one of the worst human rights records in the world. North Koreans have been referred to as "some of the world's most brutalized people" by Human Rights Watch, because of the severe restrictions placed on their political and economic freedoms.

During a rainy day those kids were seen playing football and laughing.

First World War

World War One Christmas football match between British and German troops in 1914!

The "Christmas truce" occurred along the Western Front during Christmas 1914. World War One had been raging for several months but German and Allied soldiers stepped out of their trenches, shook hands and agreed a truce so the dead could be buried. The soldiers also used that truce to chat with one another and, some claim, even play a football match!
(This photo is not from the match, only used to describe the situation).

Syria

The city Aleppo is among the worst bombed places in Syria during the ongoing conflict. Thousands of citizens have been killed and hundreds of thousands have been forced to evacuate. The city center is now totally demolished, still the kids in this photo found a place to play football.

Brazil

In World Cup 2014 tourists invaded Brazil to attend the new modern stadium and support their National teams. But the reality for all Brazilians isn't what the tourists see.

It's said 11,4 million Brazilians live in the slums (known as favelas) with high crime rates and poor facilities. Most of the kids use to gather in streets and small fields to play football while dreaming to become one of the next big players in Brazil.

Bosnia & Herzegovina

A total of 13,952 people were killed during the siege in Sarajevo in the 90's. Among damaged cars with bullet holes kids played football with their friends.

Ethiopia

With an estimated population of 86 million people, 78% of Ethiopians struggle with an income below US$2 a day.

For every 1,000 children five years old and younger, there are 166 deaths.

Life in Ethiopia is definitely harsh, but kids on this photo in Addis Abeba enjoyed the afternoon with a local football match.

Haiti

Residents of the Fort Nationale neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, an area badly damaged by the earthquake on 12 January.

Life goes on with football in a village.

Gaza

The war between Israel and people on Gaza have shocked the world many times. Between damaged buildings and a huge missile, kids found a spot to play with ball during the difficult days.

Brazil

Prison life in Brazil is nothing to joke with. Too crowded prisons and very bad conditions. But the rivalry between Brazilian clubs continue even inside prison!

Here is a match between fans of Grêmio and Internacional in Central Jail of Porto Alegre.

Iraq

People in Iraq have suffered through many wars and dictatorships. In the "quiet" times you can read about deadly car bombs nearly everyday killing civilians.

Kids on this photo play ball in a neighborhood with bullet holes on most of the walls.

Gaza

Palestinian children play football next to ruins of houses destroyed during Israel’s three-week offensive in Gaza.

Afghanistan

One of the most dangerous countries in the world.

Afghan children play football in front of the war-damaged Darul Aman Palace in the suburbs of Kabul.

Haiti

Children play football on the fringes of the Corail refugee camp for victims of the Haiti earthquakes on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.

What else can you do after years in a tent?

Brazil

No TV, no smartphone and no computers. Kids play football in the Paricatuba Ruins in the Amazon jungle.

France/Britain

Even world wars can't stop our game!

Football team of British soldiers with gas masks. Photo from World War I, somewhere in Northern France, 1916.

Thailand

Umphiem Refugee Camp in Thailand. Most of the people living here escaped from the dictatorship in Myanmar couple of years ago.
Poor conditions, no infrastructure, terrible pitch and a rainy day...

But the kids don't care, they love football!

Bonus: If you can't afford a ball you can always make one!

Source: www.wikipedia.org , www.whoateallthepies.tv , apimages.com