I-ACT

LITTLE RIPPLES - A COMMUNITY-LED PRESCHOOL PROGRAM THAT NURTURES THE COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AFFECTED BY WAR AND CONFLICT. IACT FILLS THIS GAP WITH AN INNOVATIVE PLAY-BASED PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 5 CALLED LITTLE RIPPLES, BUILT ON THE IDEA THAT EVIDENCE-BASED AND TRAUMA-INFORMED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS CAN BE ACCESSIBLE AND ADAPTABLE TO ANY CONTEXT/FOR ALL. LITTLE RIPPLES IS DESIGNED TO BE COMMUNITY-LED. THROUGH THE LITTLE RIPPLES TRAINING, TEACHERS LEARN THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT YOUNG LEARNERS AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADAPT THE CURRICULUM AND PROGRAM TO THEIR CULTURE AND CONTEXT. THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS FOR CHILDREN TO HAVE SAFE AND JOYFUL SPACES TO PLAY AND LEARN. ACROSS EIGHT REFUGEE CAMPS IN EASTERN CHAD, THERE ARE 40 LITTLE RIPPLES CENTERS, REACHING 1,800 CHILDREN PER YEAR.

REFUGEES UNITED SOCCER ACADEMY - IACT IS SERIOUS ABOUT SOCCER, AND SERIOUS ABOUT CREATING SAFE AND JOYFUL SPACES FOR PLAY. THE REFUGEES UNITED SOCCER ACADEMY (RUSA) BLENDS SKILLS, DRILLS, AND TEAM-BUILDING EXERCISES WITH A COACHING PEDAGOGY DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF GIRLS AND BOYS AGES 6 TO 13. THIS COMMUNITY-LED PROGRAM IS ROOTED IN TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, STRENGTH-BASED COACHING, GENDER EQUALITY, INCLUSION, AND A UNITING PASSION FOR SOCCER. RUSA IS LED BY TWO MEN AND TWO WOMEN TEAM FROM THE COMMUNITY. EACH RUSA SESSION BEGINS WITH A MINDFULNESS EXERCISE, FOLLOWED BY DRILLS THAT FOCUS ON FOUNDATIONAL SOCCER SKILLS AND SMALL-SIDED PLAY. COACHES INCORPORATE LESSONS AROUND KEY ISSUES SUCH AS HYGIENE, SAFETY, CHILD RIGHTS, PEACEBUILDING, AND GENDER EQUALITY. EACH ACADEMY STRIVES TO ENSURE THAT AT LEAST 50% OF PLAYERS ARE GIRLS. RUSA IS OPERATING IN 12 CAMPS IN EASTERN CHAD, THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, AND CAMEROON.