Warsan Hussin arrived in Baltimore as a teenager, having fled the turmoil of Fallujah and the wider conflict in Iraq. The sudden move forced him to confront a new language, a strange school system, and the lingering trauma of a childhood marked by displacement.
Finding a foothold on the field
He soon discovered Soccer Without Borders, a nonprofit that uses the universal language of soccer to unite refugee youth. The organization, founded in 2005, pairs athletic activity with mentorship, English tutoring, and health resources, creating a safe space for children who have known only upheaval.
Hussin entered the program in 2008, learning English on the sidelines while his teammates taught him the rules of the game. Four years later, after graduating from high school, he returned to the same fields as a coach, guiding a new generation of players through drills and dialogues about identity and resilience.
His ascent did not stop at the pitch. Today Hussin serves on the board of directors, helping to shape programming and secure funding. Alongside him, fellow alumni such as Jill Pardini, Ben Gucciardi, Ryan Gitonga and Carson McFadden contribute their expertise, while Aganze Barongozi, a longtime mentor, continues to guide newcomers.
The impact extends beyond the stadium. Soccer Without Borders reports a 93% high school graduation rate among participants, a statistic that reflects the program’s holistic approach. By weaving sport with academic support and community building, the organization offers a blueprint for how soccer can become a conduit for belonging in a city as diverse as Baltimore.
Hussin’s story illustrates how a simple invitation to play can ripple outward, turning personal survival into collective empowerment. In a world where borders are often defined by politics, the field becomes a neutral ground where cultures intersect, histories are shared, and futures are imagined.