Biography:
Pep Bonet (Mallorca, 1974) is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer who has traveled extensively capturing profound moments that represent the unbalanced world in which we live. His longer-term projects focus on African issues, with his most...
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Focus:Photographer, Filmmaker, Film, Director of Photography
Sierra Leone, Freetown. August 2007. A goal keeper during a match at the beach, where the team plays every Saturday. Goal keepers can have only one arm and two legs, while players can only have one leg and two arms. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that left unforgettable scars with machetes and handsaws. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. August 2007. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that left unforgettable scars with machetes and handsaws. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. August 2007. Amputee soccer players during a match. Every Saturday the team goes to the beach to play. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that left unforgettable scars with machetes and handsaws. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003. War amputees soccer team. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels with machetes and handsaws. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes. A player kicks the ball during a game.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. August 2007. Amputee soccer players during a rainy match. Every Saturday the team goes to the beach to play. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that left unforgettable scars with machetes and handsaws. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
War amputees soccer team. This soccer team was established in February 2001 and is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels with machetes and handsaws. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
A player kicking the ball during the game.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003. War amputees soccer team. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels with machetes and handsaws. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes. A player kicks the ball during a game.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002.
War amputees soccer team. Football field inside Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. These youngsters bear the visible scars of war, but their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
Stretching before the match.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003.
War amputees soccer team. Football field inside Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. These youngsters bear the visible scars of war, but their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
Stretching before the match.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. November 2003. War amputees football team. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that left unforgettable scars with machetes and handsaws. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes. The team running before the match.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003.
War amputees soccer team. Machete wielding rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) left unforgettable scars. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised.
Players during a game.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003.
War amputees soccer team. Machete wielding rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) left unforgettable scars. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised.
The team praying before a game.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003. War amputees soccer team. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels with machetes and handsaws. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes. A player kicks the ball during a game.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, April 2003.
War amputees soccer team. Machete wielding rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) left unforgettable scars. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised.
Patrick's foot was amputated by RUF rebels.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
Bonor, a football player from Murray's Dream Team, stretching while training at home. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. August 2007. A goal keeper getting dressed after the Saturday training. Goal keepers can have only one arm and two legs, while players can only have one leg and two arms. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that left unforgettable scars with machetes and handsaws. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. August 2007. A goal keeper and the coach training at the beach, where the team plays every Saturday. Goal keepers can have only one arm and two legs, while players can only have one leg and two arms. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that left unforgettable scars with machetes and handsaws. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
A goal at the empty soccer camp where Murray's Dream Team play football matches. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
Football players from Murray's Dream Team training on the beach. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
Bonor, a football player from Murray's Dream Team, training on the beach. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. August 2007. The amputee soceer team during a training session at the beach. Every Saturday the team goes to the beach to play. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that left unforgettable scars with machetes and handsaws. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. August 2007. Amputee soccer players warming up and stretching at the beach, where the team normally plays every Saturday. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that left unforgettable scars with machetes and handsaws. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. August 2007. Amputee Kalone flying between the sea and the sky. Every Saturday the team goes to the beach to play. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that left unforgettable scars with machetes and handsaws. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
Kalone, a football player from Murray's Dream Team, stretching while training on the beach. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
Bonor, a soccer player from Murray's Dream Team, drinks water while his young son, Samuel, plays with a football. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
One of the amputee soccer players from Murray's Dream Team, a football team entirely made up of players with one leg, stretching at home. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
Amadou, a football player from Murray's Dream Team, at home. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
Amadou, a football player from Murray's Dream Team, washing his clothes at home. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
Sierra Leone, Freetown, June 2002. War amputees soccer team. For weeks, the players trained hard for an friendly, but exciting match against the Polio Sufferers’ Team at the National Stadium in Freetown. For many of the players it was the first time to have been inside the stadium. A player at the Sierra Leone National Stadium is stretching before a match against the Polio Sufferers’ Team.
Sierra Leone, Freetown. August 2007. The amputees soccer teams walking the streets of Freetown to promote peace just before playing a soccer match between the Eastern and Western teams. Established in February 2001, the team is made up of 22 players, all residents of Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown. Most of the players were amputated by roaming rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that left unforgettable scars with machetes and handsaws. But these sportsmen kept their faith. They are determined to overcome their trauma and handicap and refuse to be marginalised. Their powerful football skills transform them into true athletes.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
Football players from Murray's Dream Team going home after a match. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
A football player from Murray's Dream Team stretching before a match. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
Football players from Murray's Dream Team preparing for a match. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
Football players from Murray's Dream Team during a match, which is being held to mark the team's commemoration day. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
A football player from Murray's Dream Team celebrating a goal during a match, which is being held to mark the team's commemoration day. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
Bonor, a football player from Murray's Dream Team, lying on the floor in pain during a match. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
A football player from Murray's Dream Team taking a penalty during a match. Murray's Dream Team is a football team entirely made up of players with one leg. The amputee team are residents of the Murray Town amputees' camp, which is home to victims of rebel atrocities committed during the civil war.
Topics
Africa Sport Disability Empowerment football amputees war Sierra Leone Freetown, Black and White, Documentary, Fine Art, Photography, Photojournalism, Portraiture, Sports, Travel
One Goal / amputees soccer team
Sierra Leone’s amputees are a grim legacy of its 1991-2001 civil war. One of the most brutal aspects of the conflict was the use of amputation as a weapon of fear, by both factions. Many of the victims were innocent young men, who were targeted in order to stop them fighting for an opposing side.At the Murray Town Camp for Amputees in Freetown, at one time home to over 2,000 people mutilated during the war, a group of these young men and boys have come together to form the Single Leg Amputee Sports Club (SLASC). The club has more than 30 members and is recognized by the Sierra Leone Football Association as the un(official) national amputee team. Through soccer, the youths have regained their pride and self-confidence. They aim to play against other international teams and make a living from their sport. In February 2007 the club – which had already competed in matches in Britain, Russia and Brazil – hosted the first ever All-African Amputee Football Tournament. Pep Bonet continued his long term project on the team in August 2007 photographing the soccer players and their lives.