Sport for change
For young people, sport, play and exercise are vital for optimal growth and learning, stimulating physical, cognitive, emotional and social development. But the benefits of sport extend far beyond the individual. Through sport, we can lay the groundwork for positive, lasting change on the societal level.
Around the world, Mercy Corps’ Sport for Change programs promote health awareness, accelerate psychological healing in areas affected by natural disasters and conflict, further social inclusion and cohesion, and contribute to economic development through a variety of sport-based activities. Our programs take advantage of sport’s popularity and convening power to mobilize young people and their communities, communicate key messages, bring diverse groups together and teach valuable life skills in a way that is fun and participatory.
All stories about Sport for change
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Haiti: Peace Day in Mirebalais September 26, 2011
On September 21, Mercy Corps and Partners In Health teamed up to celebrate International Peace Day in Mirebalais, Haiti.
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Celebrating Peace Day with major league soccer September 21, 2011
Mercy Corps taps into soccer's popularity and convening power to engage young people and their communities for positive change. We call these programs Sport for Change.
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Japan: VIDEO: Comfort for Kids activities in Kesennuma, Japan June 9, 2011
Mercy Corps and partner Peace Winds are providing art, play and sports therapy for young tsunami survivors through the Comfort for Kids and Moving Forward programs.
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Haiti: In Haiti, children giggle with delight May 2, 2011
I met Guivens Cemervil for the first time when he traveled to Mercy Corps headquarters in Portland, Oregon last January on the anniversary of Haiti’s earthquake. His story is remarkable: he was the only survivor in his university’s classroom of 60 to be unharmed.
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Sri Lanka: Peace and reconciliation through sport February 15, 2011
The decades-long civil war in Sri Lanka finally ended in May 2009, leaving 80,000 dead, many thousands more dislocated, and a legacy of mistrust, tension and lack of communication between Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities.
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Haiti: Today I'm living another way January 11, 2011
I've been working with Mercy Corps for four months now on the Moving Forward project. Moving Forward is a sport and play-based psychosocial support program designed for youth affected by the January 12 earthquake here in Haiti.
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Kenya: Shaping the future November 11, 2010
In pursuit of a mentor or a role model, most people aren’t always fortunate enough to have someone who can serve as both.
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DR Congo: A day of peace in Congo September 21, 2010
Around the world, people took a moment to celebrate the International Day of Peace. The Mercy Corps team in Nyanzale, Democratic Republic of the Congo took time to celebrate the call for ceasefire and non-violence with the communities from displacement camps and Nyanzale town.
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West Bank and Gaza: Sports for Life October 15, 2008
In 2008, the Palestinian Federation for the Disabled became the Palestinian Paralympics Committee (PPC). Its purpose is to enhance the skills and abilities of people with disabilities through sports.
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Kosovo: Rallying around a goal June 15, 2006
Grabovc, Kosovo - The soccer field that lies on the outskirts of town, built by village residents and partially funded by Mercy Corps, might not seem that ambitious when compared to the roads, schools or other large projects being constructed in other parts of Kosovo.