From Afghanistan to Ottawa, a mother and daughter find hope in City swimming

For many Canadians, swimming is a common and leisurely activity learned from early childhood. However, for women and girls in Afghanistan, access to education and recreational activities, including swimming, has historically been limited. Zahra Jafari, who fled Afghanistan in 2017, knows this reality all too well. After tirelessly fighting for women’s rights, she was forced to leave her home country to protect her family. Since arriving in Canada, Zahra and her daughters have found hope and healing through swimming lessons at Sawmill Creek Community Centre and Pool in Gloucester. Zahra’s activism came at a great personal cost. Pregnant with her youngest daughter, Elisa, she had to leave her eldest daughter, Mahsa, behind temporarily for three years to escape the Taliban’s oppressive rule. She recalls this as one of the most difficult periods of her life.   Masha’s journey to overcome her uncertainties and build confidence with staff and other children was gradual but transformative. “When I started swimming, I was really nervous because they were strangers to me," recounted Mahsa. “But we played games and stuff, so I got more comfortable with them.” Zahra emphasizes the positive impact swimming had on Mahsa’s self-confidence and social skills, crediting the supportive environment created by the staff and other children. “She was nervous, it was very hard for her. But when she started, the help of the staff, coaches, and the good management, she just changed – even her behaviour.” While swimming might seem like just another activity, it means much more to Mahsa. It represents a choice to do what you love without barriers. “I thought for me, it would be impossible to swim,” says Mahsa. “When I came to Canada, my wish came true and I’m happy for that. Every time I go in the water, I feel better. It makes me happy.” For Zahra, swimming is more than just a life skill; it’s about breaking down barriers. “It seems like a small hope,” Zahra says. “But for the girls from Afghanistan, with a situation like Mahsa, it is not a small hope. It is a big dream.” Whether you’re just beginning or already experienced, the City of Ottawa offers swimming activities for children and adults of all levels on Register Ottawa. Additionally, if you’re looking to get involved with your community in a professional role, there are several aquatic positions posted on ottawa.ca/jobs.   Watch Zahra and Mahsa’s story Transcript for the "Afghan mother and daughter find hope in City swimming" video When I was in Afghanistan, my daughter Mahsa always liked to swim. It seems like a small hope, a small hope for children. But for the girls from Afghanistan, with a situation like Mahsa, it is not a small hope. It is a big dream. I came to Canada in December 2017. And at that time, I was forced to leave my country, Afghanistan, and left my daughter Mahsa when she was six years old. And I came to Canada as a refugee. Yeah. And that time, it was a really hard time for me and also for Mahsa. And I can say it was the hardest time in my life. The situation for women and girls is not a really good situation in Afghanistan, especially for now. Girls are not allowed to go to school after grade six. And when we are talking about recreation and sport, it is much worse and harder for women. When Mahsa started swimming, I tried to find a place, and my friend helped me find Sawmill Creek swimming pool. When she had started, she was nervous because she was not able to talk English. And she was nervous because she said, “How can I connect with the coach and people and adults and even other children?” It was very hard for her, but when she had started, the help of the staff and coach, and management, the good management and support of the people who work here, she just changed, even her behaviour. And if you talk with her, you cannot believe what's happened. You know, who was this girl? So, I thought for me, it would be impossible to swim. So. And then when I came to Canada, my wish came true, and I progressed a lot, and I'm happy for that. Yeah. In this class, Mahsa learned how to improve her self-confidence. She gets more involved with people, and she's not shy anymore.