The State We're In - 10 July 2010. A swimmer in Sweden loses his legs and one arm in a train accident, but is now ranked in the top five swimmers in the world. A soccer fan in Mogadishu lost two friends to the Islamist militia, Al Shabab, killed for watching the World Cup. He still watches sports, but now as an act of political defiance. South African dancer Mamela Nyamza explains why courting controversy is a good thing, while a Zimbabwean human rights lawyer defends the idea of arguing unwinnable cases.

We're always searching for personal stories about human rights and how we treat each other.
 
Do you have a story to share with us? If so click here.
 
Visit our Facebook and Twitter pages where you can discuss the program and send in ideas.
  
Download the latest podcast or subscribe in iTunes.
 
Making a splash
Christoffer Lindhe in Sweden was once a competitive swimmer who at age 17 was on the verge of quitting. But four years ago, a train accident nearly claimed his life, and left him without both legs and one arm.  Now he’s back in the pool and ranked in the top five in the world. He tells Jonathan how competing has given him his life back.
  
Fatal football
Abukar Mohammed Gedi in Mogadishu, Somalia just wanted to watch the World Cup with friends. But the Islamist terrorist group, Al Shabab, burst through the door and killed two of his friends. Abukar and others were taken to Al Shabab’s execution grounds, but later released. Now Abukar believes watching football is an act of personal liberty – and he’s determined to go on watching. 
 
Leaving Al Shabab
Two years ago, Ilyas Hassan Omar joined the Islamist group, Al Shabab. But after shooting and beheading people, he grew disillusioned. His mother risked her life by pleading with his commanding officers to let him go. He now rejects Al Shabab, and prays for forgiveness for his sins.
  
Footsteps for change
Mamela Nyamza is a social activist and choreographer/dancer in South Africa, where women often face difficult lives. Mamela explains how she loves to court controversy through what she does on stage, and shed light on the status of women there.
  
Links:
Mamela on Facebook
  
Mamela on YouTube: PERFORMATICA 2009, WHY "KUTHENI"
  
Zama Dance School Trust website
  
The right to fight
Gabriel Shumba is a human rights lawyer in Zimbabwe. He tells Jonathan why he risks his life fighting for lost causes in a country whose political future looks bleak.