Three earthquakes killed 5000 people in the Herat region in October 2023, although the media barely noticed. Our CHEERing Herat team spent many days living in makeshift tents. Given the needs of our malnourished children and pregnant women, the team did one clinic in the open air, but returned 10 days ago to the building….

CHEERing’s research – and experience – shows that poor dental health is one of the biggest problems for refugees in Greece. From small children to older adults, tooth decay means poor sleep, trouble eating, and PAIN. It’s almost impossible to get to a dentist when you are in a camp miles from anywhere with no…

This is the 3rd consecutive year that CHEERing has screened 40 kids and coaches for cardiac health. In Greece, all children who play youth soccer need an annual heart screen. The screenings were supported by our funders at the FC Barcelona Foundation. All kids had to bring their IDs and lots of paperwork filled out…

Thanks in part to a donation from our friends at Forrefugees, CHEERing has a new van. Our old van and new are critical to the work we do collecting and delivering supplies, OTC medications, and transporting our volunteer team to help the populations of Malakasa, Thiba, and Corinth camps.

CHEERing has been accredited with the European Solidarity Corps Quality Label! This certifies that CHEERing can provide activities in compliance with the principles, objectives, and quality standards of the European Solidarity Corps. The Quality Label means CHEERing can participate in European Solidarity Corps opportunities, including the European Voluntary Service (EVS) program, funded by the EU….

Following the lead of our funders at the Barca Foundation, CHEERing is expanding our sporting activities beyond football. CHEERleading is a natural, especially with an experienced cheerleading coach on board! Willow holds a level 1&2 cheerleading coaching qualification and previously coached a team of 40 girls while studying at the University of Liverpool. She personally…

Seashells. Sandcastles. Even mermaids! On Friday, the CHEERing team took a special trip to the beach with the refugee children and teenagers we work with. Together we played in the sand, splashed in the waves, and soaked up the sun. The day served as a carefree break from the daily reality of refugee camp life,…

CHEERing recently hosted our funders The Barça Foundation for a site visit, with managing director Marta Segu being able to meet our team and SportNet participants in person. The Foundation included many images from our program in their special release to publicize World Refugee Day on June 20th, 2023. Additionally, several articles were published about…

We began our football teams 2 years ago with a small group of girls from Malakasa. Now we have a rotating core of about 200 players. Film maker Laskaris Agorastos was there. Inspired by our children’s enthusiasm in kids’ tournaments, he wanted to make a movie, and he made it especially for us. Since then…

The Barca Foundation and UNICEF have just published a study on the mental health of adolescent refugees and the impact of a Sport for Development (S4D) program on psychological well-being. CHEERing helped to implement the study in Athens in 2022, by bringing young players to the table to share their views on sport and psychological…