Inter Campus coaches volunteers in Shatila refugee camp
Thanks to its partner ANERA – ONG which has worked for 30 years in the area, Inter Campus was able to get to the Shatila refugee camp in Southern Lebanon. There, a workshop for volunteer coaches were hosted and the outcomes of the local projects were observed.
The headquarters of Ahlam Laje (Dreams of a refugee) are located among the alleys in Shatila. It’s a local association at the refugee camp that operated together with the Inter Campus staff at the Al Siraj pitch where the 80 boys and girls who take part in the most recent project.
During the week of the mission, Inters technical staff held a development course for in total six local coaches who are all volunteers and big football fans. The coaches were born and grew up in Shatila. Now, they’re all keen to make themselves useful and offer help for the youngsters. Despite the stifling heat, the boys and girls showed great intensity and joy during the training, all of them proudly wearing the Nerazzurri’s shirt. “Since I’ve had the shirt, I always pick Inter in video games,” explained young Omar who is grateful about the football sessions in the refugee camp.
By speaking to mothers, the staff of Inter Campus had the chance to see how this project is encouraging girls in Shatila who are passionate for football and now finally have the chance to take the pitch as equals to the boys. In a setting such as Shatila where crime and violence rule, the presence of Inter Campus provides an important space for fun, development and safety. The children can play for three hours a week in a safe environment and guided by trained coaches.
