By Wesam Sabaaneh | CEO
Since our last update in May, Jafra’s football teams in Burj al-Barajneh and Shatila camps have kept going through a difficult season, and they have brought home real results. Around 100 children and young people, about 50 in each camp, now take part. The teams include both boys and girls aged 12 to 18, training together twice a week under the guidance of their coach and a group of dedicated volunteers.
A championship for Burj al-Barajneh
This season, our teams played matches against teams from other Palestinian camps. The Burj al-Barajneh team won its games and finished as champions. For young people who grow up with so few opportunities to be recognized, this victory meant far more than a trophy. It showed them what discipline, hard work, and teamwork can achieve, and it filled their families and neighbours with pride.
Waleed’s story
Waleed (name changed) is 15 and plays with the team in Shatila. A few weeks ago, his mother came to the coach to share what she had noticed since he joined. Waleed has become more enthusiastic about life, more cooperative at home with his brother and sister, and his schoolwork has improved a lot. She was so happy with the change that she offered to volunteer by bringing snacks for the team. Her story shows how the football field reaches far beyond the game, into homes, schools, and the wider community.
The challenge we face
Rising fuel prices in Lebanon have pushed up the cost of renting the playground. One training session now costs $40, and keeping both camps training twice a week costs around $640 a month. This has made it harder to sustain the regular routine that the children depend on. Equipment is also wearing out after a long season of training and matches.
What’s next
Our goal for the coming months is to welcome more children into the teams and increase the number of training sessions, so that more young people in the camps have a safe, positive space to grow.
Thank you for standing with the children of Burj al-Barajneh and Shatila. Every session you support gives them a reason to show up, work as a team, and believe in what they can achieve.
By Haneen Khaled | Program Director
By Haneen Khaled | Program Director
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