The post below was written by a recipient of donated soccer equipment in Beirut, Lebanon. It was received by Amel in April 2019.
Arab generations have grown up with the saying, "A healthy mind grows in a healthy body”! Thus, the launching of Amel’s Sports League was a project designed to empower young people, rather than simply a sports project.
This initiative was created by a group of people who saw in Amel the perfect platform to uphold such a value, where sports can be a space to build both mental & social wellbeing for the most vulnerable refugee and local children in Lebanon’s most marginalized areas.

Sports truly is the universal language that brings us all together and the shared belief that sports can be the tool that empowers future generations is what built the bridge between Amel and Secondkicks.
Second Kicks was one of the first organizations to recognize the value in our vision to create a league to provide life skills through sports catered towards both refugees and vulnerable youth from the host community here in Lebanon. They provided jerseys, shorts, and practice equipment that were vital in launching our first league. The equipment they provided was distributed to nearly 100 girls and boys, the smile and excitement on the children’s faces when they changed into their new uniforms was truly a priceless experience considering these children have never been part of a formal sports league before.
The positive impact experienced during the first league has led us to expand our vision and create new leagues that will benefit even more vulnerable children across the country. With that, Second Kicks once again expressed their commitment to continue to support our expansion plans and provide even more uniforms and equipment. What started off as a dream has now become a reality and the support of Second Kicks has been invaluable in our efforts to make the beautiful game more accessible to at risk youth. At the same time using the love of sports to teach them valuable lessons about life that will benefit them both on and off the field.

Our vision for the future is to continue to expand our sports program to impact even more youth in need, and we are excited to continue our collaboration with Second Kicks and hope in the future other organizations will follow their lead and find ways to support underprivileged youth around the world.
With Love,
Beirut, Lebanon
Amel is an independent nonprofit, non-confessional Lebanese organization dedicated to saving lives and generating a democratic and prosperous Lebanon. Amel offers quality services in the health, psychosocial, human rights, child protection, rural development and vocation training fields. Amel’s interventions involve the entire resident population, regardless of religious affiliation or political beliefs. Amel’s mission is to improve the quality of life of residents who are affected by repeated humanitarian crisis through health and development programs in a participatory approach and a positive spirit of humanity. As a key member of the country’s civil society, Amel aims to build a democratic and prosperous Lebanon, involving the entire resident population, regardless of religious affiliation, political beliefs, socio-economic level or nationality.
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