iACT's Soccer Program Featured in the LA Times
In which sports writer Kevin Baxter explores the power of play, and just how iACT builds relationships and co-creates programs.
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THE SITUATION
The current humanitarian system was not built to respond to ongoing displacement.
Its traditional top-down approach no longer suffices in a world that demands solutions that are sustainable, dignified, and led by those directly affected.
1 in 6 people worldwide were exposed to conflict in 2023. (ACLED)
67% of refugees are living in protracted crises and have been displaced for more than five years. (DRC)
In 2022, less than 1% of international humanitarian funding went to refugee-led organizations. (HPG Report)
HOW DO WE ACHIEVE OUR MISSION?
We do this by listening deeply to their needs,
then together, we create safe and joyful programs that include preschools, soccer academies, employment opportunities, and training, all led by the affected communities themselves...
iACT’s Refugees United Soccer Academy (RUSA) blends skills, drills, and team-building exercises with mindfulness and wellbeing for children ages 6 to 13. RUSA is community-led, promotes gender equality, and creates leadership opportunities.
iACT’s Little Ripples (LR) preschool program for children ages 3 to 5 is rooted in the belief that educational programs that are evidence-based, trauma-informed, and play-based can be accessible and adaptable to any context, and can be led by the community itself.
“I feel a big responsibility towards iACT’s future in order to make [iACT founder Gabriel’s] vision continue. And not only me, there are thousands of people iACT saved their lives and helped them. They created a football team and built preschools, sports academies and the positive thing is they appointed only the refugees as employees in all these programs and livelihood projects, too so that they are refugee-led.”
Murtada Haroun Adam
Be part of hope in action.
iACT is powered by our passionate community of volunteers and supporters. We value every person and their capacity to help in ways both large and small. It brings us joy to create opportunities for all people to take action.
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