Sport changing lives for young Syrian refugees

The Alsama cricket proogramme in Beirut, Lebanon is gaining momentum, giving hundreds of young Syrian refugees living in camps the opportunity to experience regular coaching sessions and take part in competition.  As well as providing some much needed fun and enjoyment, cricket has become an integral part of their lives – raising their aspirations, developing valuable life skills and offering respite from their difficult and dangerous living conditions.  Thank you for helping Youth Sport Trust International to support this programme.

Thanks to your valuable support we were able to partner with another charity, teamArchie, to recruit three young cricket coaches in the UK to go and volunteer in the camps last autumn. This was a life changing experience for them – a unique personal development opportunity to practise sport for development in a challenging environment, gain coaching experience for themselves and learn about another culture.  They received a warm welcome and were hugely impressed by the enthusiasm and talent of the young people they worked with.   Sadly the conflict between Israel and Hamas cut short their stay due to concerns about the war escalating in the region and for safety reasons the interns returned home.  They hope to return to Lebanon at some point in the future.

Alsama cricket continues regardless with young refugees taking on the role of assistant coaches as their own leadership skills grow and more and more children experience the joy of taking part.  Truly you are helping sport to change young lives. Heartfelt THANKS for your continued support.

Links:

• TeamArchie website