BSS, Dhaka: In order to make the life of Rohingya children normal, an initiative to launch a sports programme is underway as five organizations including a local one are working together to unlock the potential of those children through sporting power.
This first phase aims to be launched this autumn by KLABU and the Paris Saint-Germain Endowment Fund in partnership with the distinguished Bangladeshi NGO FRIENDSHIP, a press release said.
Over a million Rohingya have been forcibly displaced from Myanmar in successive waves of violence since the early 1990s. The project’s Club Centre has been co-designed by partner Solarkiosk and will be implemented by Friendship and KLABU under the supervision of Solarkiosk.
In addition, Friendship, KLABU and the Paris Saint-Germain Endowment Fund will also deliver an innovative mobile sport library solution that will widen the reach across Rohingya camps and share the power and joy of sport with the larger community.
Following this first phase at Cox’s Bazar, KLABU, the Paris Saint-Germain Endowment Fund and UNHCR will work to potentially expand into other parts of the world.
Runa Khan, founder and executive director of Friendship: “We thank the Paris Saint-Germain Endowment Fund, KLABU, and UNHCR for taking this initiative, which will not only promote mental wellbeing of Rohingya children but also help them recover from stress and traumatic experiences they have been through.”
Thomas Rieger, co-founder and CEO of Solarkiosk: “We are happy and proud to be part of this truly impactful project and enable and empower young Rohingya children with our solar solutions which are tailored for remote and off-grid areas worldwide.”
At present, more than 80 million people have been forced to flee their homes globally, of whom almost half are children. The Paris Saint-Germain Endowment Fund and KLABU invite the world to connect with the hapless people through the universal spirit of sport and the celebration of human potential.
The project, which has now been in the works for almost two years, aims to unlock the power and joy of sport through community-driven projects, which will be kicked off at the single largest Rohingya camp in the world at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The initial goal is to reach 10,000 Rohingya and host community children, and their family members.
“Paris Saint-Germain is proud to be able to support such an honourable cause. Access to sport should be a basic right for any child around the world, regardless of their background or circumstances. Through this project we look to build on the already extensive humanitarian efforts the Club has undertaken overseas. Together with KLABU, UNHCR and other partners, we hope to give a portion of the 80 million who are fleeing from challenging circumstances a sense of relief and of belonging.” said Paris Saint-Germain Chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
The four international organizations — The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Paris Saint-Germain(PSG), KLABU and Solarkiosk while one local NGO FRIENDSHIP are going to start the sports programme for Rohingya children coinciding global initiative for their normal mental and physical growth.
