Children at Risk Activities

In the “Children at Risk” sports program, every participant, regardless of their age or background, has a unique story and a chance to make a difference. 

Daham is 25 years old and has been through a lot in his life. He was born and raised in Syria, but when he was 15, his life changed completely because of the war. 

“I lived through the war in Syria when I was 15 years old, and I still remember everything. Before the war, life was peaceful, safe, and full of happiness. I had dreams and ambitions and I used to enjoy many activities. I lived in Afrin, but at that time, I went to Aleppo to make my exams in school. Unfortunately, one day on our way to school, a shell hit the bus right in front of us, killing half of my classmates. That day, I lost many of my friends; the ones I learned with, talked with, and spent most of my time with. I saw the shell with my own eyes. I was shocked, and I was too young, I wasn’t ready for it. Because of the war and the things I saw and faced, I was traumatized. I lost my friends, my studies, my home, and my life. My country was destroyed, and so many people died. My dream was to become an engineer, and my grades were high at school. But sadly, I couldn’t achieve my dreams and my goals because of this situation.” Daham expressed sadly

After living awful days, Daham and his family fled Syria and came to Lebanon. Even though Daham was safe in Lebanon, but he suffered a lot. He felt constant fear and anxiety, which affected his eating and sleeping. He couldn’t sleep at night and was overwhelmed with sadness. He had deep depression. His family took him to a psychiatrist for help. He received treatment for two years and began taking Prozac. Slowly, he started to recover.

Daham loves sports, especially football. However, there was no team or space for him to play near his home. When his cousin Mostafa, who joined the “Children at Risk” youth sports program for ages 16 to 22, told him about it, Daham felt excited but also hesitant since he was 25, making him the oldest. Despite this, he found the courage to join. He was warmly welcomed and has been an active participant ever since.

“I really love the program. Playing sports helps me relax and let go of stress, fear, and sadness. I have a lot of fun playing football and have made new friends. It feels like we’re one big family. I really feel comfortable there and I always look forward to coming back each week.” Daham said.

Not only did he learn football skills, but he also grew spiritually and learned about Jesus.

“I learned to love, forgive, not to hold grudges, and to help others. Through Kurdish meetings, I got to know Christ, and my way of thinking changed. I began to learn more about Him and His miracles, like how He healed the blind and the paralyzed. I heard everything about Jesus at H4L; before, I didn’t know anything. I used to hear and understand things differently, but now I am discovering truths I never knew before.” He noted 

Daham and his family live in a small tent in Bekaa, Lebanon, where they take care of a piece of land. His father, Nafee, has been dealing with pain and fever for a long time, but the doctors have not been able to figure out the cause. The medicine he’s been taking hasn’t improved his condition; it only acts as a painkiller. Daham’s mother suffers from disc problem, and the doctor advised her to avoid heavy lifting and to get as much rest as possible. His sister, Rofana, had to leave school because of their tough circumstances and the family’s poor financial situation. Daham used to work at a restaurant in Baalbek, but the difficult situation in Lebanon has affected his job because the area has become dangerous. When the war began in Lebanon, it brought back painful memories of what he went through during the war in Syria.