Gaza's girl surfer battles pollution and prejudice

Sabah Abu Ghanim, 12, said he is encouraging his friends to join her to make the most of the coast of Palestine, blocked

age of twelve, Sabah Abu Ghanim behind the board for water as the sun flashing in the eastern Mediterranean. The wind increased a little, and the waves expected to continue - at least enough to ride the waves

"I feel that the sea belongs to me," says surfer in Gaza. "When I'm at sea I feel content and happy."

25 km from Gaza

of Mediterranean coastline is a magnet for a population with few forms of entertainment and a desire to escape the monotony of life under the blockade. A small but growing number of Internet users use a variety of boards of fortune, and some activists sent by users through the passage largely controlled Israel.

"We have a problem for the team, but these guys try to do my best for them," said Mahfouz Kabariti, president of the Federation of Palestine sailing and surfing. "Whenever people are under siege, so they need space to feel normal. What is good for your mental health. "

Sabah was taught by his father to use his lifeline of 22 years, surfboard, which is shared among family and friends. The first time, he says, "I put in the hands of God. I said my prayers last. And I surfed a wave very high."

Now TV studios and the Internet to improve their technique. She, in turn, other coaches. "When my friends see me surfing are very proud. They like and ask me to teach them. They become surfers like me. It's not exactly like me, is not as good as me."

Gaza beaches are along one of the few undeveloped stretches of the Mediterranean coast. There are no tourists to fill a handful of hotels facing the sea A beach cafes, some led by Hamas, drawing people outside of Ramadan.

lifeguard towers crumbling
• regularly parked along the beach, but there are no signs of swimmers at greatest risk - sewage in the water. Up to 80m gallons of sewage spilled into the sea every day, leading to complaints of diarrhea and skin rashes in swallowing water.
• Gaza four treatment plants, wastewater can not cope with population growth, according EWASH, a consortium of international and local NGOs. Israeli blockade prevents the materials necessary for the maintenance and improvement of plants to arrive in Gaza, he said.

"People should be warned to swim in areas close to sewage outlets," said Ghada Snunu of EWASH. "It's not easy to tell people to stop swimming. The beach is fun for most of the people of Gaza."

after sick, Sabah says he has avoided the most polluted areas. But most people prefer the risk of illness to give up one of his few pleasures. His father, Rajab Aby Ghanim, 37, a self-taught surfer, is proud of his daughter and plans to introduce eight, Saja's sister Sabah, the pleasures of sailing. But, he says, "I have many problems with my surfing girls. Many people criticize me. I asked my two girls to stop by the community. "

Sabah sometimes feel the disapproval of their activities in some conservative Gazans. "There is a difference [between children]. When we swim in the sea and the men we see, are very surprised. They tell us to leave."
"When I grow up, my company refuses to allow me to surf. It's a shame. I'll keep sailing until that time, and then I'll have to stop. I'll be sad, "said.

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