Sport Lebanon Project #63301

Sports for Change

by Triumphant Mercy Lebanon

Project Report | Feb 11, 2026
A Time of Change

By Rime Wardane | Sports Ministry Coordinator

Henry is an only child. He was raised all by himself. His parents both work. They live in a poor house, they all have to sleep in 1 room. We met Henry 5 years ago when he was 10 years old. He was a socially awkward child. He didn't speak, he stuttered. And we noticed he was a bit slow. He lived in anxiety all the time, His anxiety came from instability. He had to change several homes and schools. He never met friends. He never kept connections. His problem got bigger in 2020 due the lockdown.

Henry came to meet us after the 1st visit to his house. He didn't come to the center with confidence. He came in with hesitation. He stood at the door like he was unsure if he was allowed to come in. His eyes scanned the room, looking for exits, looking for judgment, looking for any sign that he didn’t fit. We welcomed him, telling him only one sentence : "Henry, you are safe here". It was such a simple sentence.But for someone like him, it landed like a whole new idea. At first, Henry didn’t talk much.He sat on the edge of the group, listening. Watching. Testing the room. When he did speak, his words came out awkwardly, like he wasn’t used to being heard.Sometimes he would say something and immediately look down, as if waiting for someone to tease him.But nobody did.

What made the biggest impact on Henry for the past years, is meeting new people who didn't give uf on Him, showing him love and care. This wasn’t a place where he had to earn his place. He was allowed to grow into it.

One afternoon, there was a basketball session. Henry didn’t jump in right away. He stood at the side, hands in his pockets, watching everyone play. The coach called out:“You wanna shoot a little?” Henry said “I’m not that good.” One of the youth said, “Cool. Come be not-that-good with us.”Henry smiled for real that time. Basketball gave him something he hadn’t had in a long time: A reason to believe he could improve.

The growth didn't happen overnight. After 5 years of fellowship, deep talk, keeping contact and sitting together one on one we can see the difference in Henry's life.

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