Skating Beyond Boundaries: Empowering refugee youth through sports

In the heart of Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, skateboards are more than just pieces of wood with wheels—they are tools for transformation. At Just.Childhood, a Lebanese non-profit organization, the power of sports is harnessed to create opportunities for marginalized children to heal, grow, and envision brighter futures. Through their innovative Sports for Development programs, children in camps such as Sabra, Shatila, Borj Barajneh, and Mar Elias are discovering new possibilities through skateboarding—a unique and impactful approach to development.

For children who have endured the trauma of war, displacement, and instability, skateboarding offers much more than physical activity. It provides a sense of freedom, resilience, and joy. Beyond learning tricks and techniques, the sport instills life skills such as confidence, teamwork, and perseverance—qualities essential for overcoming the adversities these children face both on and off the skatepark.

Take the story of Fatmeh, an 11-year-old girl who fled the violence in Syria with her family. In the skatepark, she found not just a new hobby but also a space where her ambitions could take flight. Fatmeh dreams of becoming both a skateboarding coach and a doctor, embodying the transformative power of sports to foster self-belief and ambition.

Tasnim, a 12-year-old living in Borj Barajneh camp, is another shining example. Her love for skateboarding was hindered by the lack of resources and opportunities in her community—until she joined Just.Childhood’s program. Now, Tasnim eagerly wakes up early every Friday to attend the sessions, her determination inspiring her coaches and her mother, who proudly supports her journey. Through skateboarding, Tasnim has found a voice and a platform to express herself in a society that often limits girls’ opportunities.

Yamen, a young boy displaced from Syria, is another participant whose life has been profoundly changed by the program. Through the Skate and Educate initiative, he regained lost educational opportunities and developed leadership skills. For Yamen, the skatepark became more than a place to learn tricks; it became a space to rebuild confidence and rediscover his potential.

At the heart of Just.Childhood’s success are the coaches who work tirelessly to foster these transformative experiences. More than instructors, they are mentors and role models, providing not only technical guidance but also emotional support. Their patience and empathy create safe, inclusive spaces where children feel valued and empowered. This is particularly significant for girls like Fatmeh and Tasnim, who often face cultural and societal barriers to participating in sports. By creating environments that encourage girls to thrive, these coaches are helping to dismantle stereotypes and pave the way for gender equity.

Skateboarding itself challenges broader societal norms. It brings together children from diverse backgrounds, fostering unity and mutual respect. For many refugee youth, this is their first experience of meaningful inclusivity. The skatepark becomes a vibrant community where differences dissolve, and friendships form—a powerful lesson in coexistence and shared humanity.

The impact of Just.Childhood’s programs goes far beyond the skatepark. By integrating sports with education and psychosocial support, these initiatives equip children with tools to overcome the challenges of displacement, marginalization, and exclusion. The combination of physical activity, emotional resilience, and community building creates a holistic model that not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters long-term growth.

Looking to the future, the lessons from Just.Childhood’s work highlight the immense potential of sports as a tool for development in conflict-affected regions. With careful planning and execution, programs like these can help children heal from trauma, build resilience, and discover their capacity to lead and inspire.

The stories of Fatmeh, Tasnim, and Yamen remind us that transformative change often begins with small steps—or in this case, with a roll across a skatepark. In the hands of organizations like Just.Childhood, skateboarding has become a vehicle for hope, breaking barriers and building bridges to a better future for Lebanon’s refugee youth. Every trick learned and every fall overcome is a testament to the resilience and potential of these young skaters, proving that even the simplest of activities can create extraordinary change.

About the Author:

Mahmoud Al Chanati is a Palestinian living in Lebanon with a BA in Business Management from Beirut Arab University. As the Sports for Development Coordinator at Just.Childhood, Mahmoud is passionate about using education and sports as transformative tools to empower the next generation, foster resilience, and drive positive change in marginalized communities.