When Hameed Makttoof climbed out of Joe’s air conditioned car into an Illinois summer, he met, for his first time, the suffocating weight of 80% humidity. Undeterred by the fierce Midwestern storms, Hameed shared to his Facebook story his fearless and familiar dance. “Yeah, it’s crazy out but I have to get the run.”
Hammed honed his innate talent for running as a young Iraqi, despite growing up in a country where running was “not a popular sport.” Before his 15th birthday, he found incredible, life-changing success in the sport, winning the Arab Championships for his country. Hameed’s talent in and passion for running traveled with him to the U.S., where he continued to compete on dirt and on the track. By the time he’d finished competing at the high school level, he’d run impressive PBs of 4:32 for the mile, 9:42 for two miles, and 16:18 for the 5k while running XC for Renton High School.
Hameed, however, did not come to the U.S. merely to maintain a run streak. Eager to close an eight year gap in his schooling, Makttoof attacked academics with all the vigor of competitive athlete gunning for a national championship. After graduating from Chief Sealth International High School and completing his studies at Seattle University, Hameed embarked on his next academic adventure at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, studying psychology. This fall he begins his PhD program, thus bringing him one stride closer to his long term goal of working with the United Nations Doctors Without Borders Program.
Aimie Vallat captured Hameed’s story--and his unrelenting determination--in the award-winning short film This Being Human. Follow the link below the synopsis to watch the full film.
“Never give up on anything you want to do in this world because life is too short. God bless everyone and stay healthy and safe. God is good. 🙏🏽” -Hameed Makttoof
FILM SYNOPSIS
A modern hero’s journey; a child of war runs the race of his life, for days cross-country, and knocks on the door of refuge. Supplicating for entrance, and turned-away twice in Turkey, finally, Hameed is granted United Nations-guaranteed safe passage, to the USA — a solo journey, leaving his home for refuge, hope and dreams. He lands in Seattle where, after 8 years of no education in Iraq, he gains speed with access to resources and the classroom. It seems insurmountable, he’s dedicated and learns a third language, he encounters adversity and challenge, a foster family steps forward, and he accelerates towards higher education and loftier altruistic dreams...
This being survival. This being resilience.
This being immigrant. This being free.
This being our American Dream.
THIS BEING HUMAN.
http://www.reelwitness.com/thisbeinghumanfilm