Sports · Mental wellbeing
GAME CONNECT
Using the universal language of sport and play to rebuild confidence, connection and hope among displaced youth.
2
Years delivered in Kyangwali
300
Youth Reached
6
VSLA's Established
The programme
Game Connect uses structured sport and game-based activities to support the psychosocial wellbeing of refugees and displaced youth. Through team games, leadership training and community engagement, it fosters social cohesion, resilience and mental wellbeing — giving young people a safe space for play and personal development.
In that space, young refugees rebuild confidence, develop life skills and process trauma with support around them. The programme deliberately promotes inclusion, teamwork and integration into new communities — strengthening each young person’s sense of agency and belonging, and using play to inspire hope, unity and long-term wellbeing.
CAFAR’s role
Game Connect is a consortium-led initiative by the Olympic Refuge Foundation, in partnership with AVSI and Youth Sport Uganda. CAFAR Foundation delivered the programme as an implementing partner — running it on the ground in the Kyangwali refugee community and within local secondary schools over the past two years, reaching more than 300 young people.
Alongside the sport and play, we also established six Village Savings and Loan (VSLA) groups for the most vulnerable refugee youth — those out of education and vocational training — focused on financial literacy, saving, and building the first micro-businesses of their own.
WHAT CAFAR DELIVERED IN KYANGWALI
Play, and a path to security.
Sport for mental-wellbeing
Structured, game-based psychosocial sessions in the settlement and in secondary schools — building resilience, teamwork and confidence through play. Focusing on 13 life skills, building resilience, relationships and self confidence.
Sport for mental-wellbeing
Six VSLA groups established for the most vulnerable out-of-school, youth — teaching financial literacy, savings, and the seeds of real micro-businesses and independence.
“Sport is a language every young person understands — and from there, everything can become possible.”
Game Connect Coach
A consortium initiative. Game Connect is led by the Olympic Refuge Foundation, in partnership with AVSI and Youth Sport Uganda. CAFAR Foundation served as an implementing partner, delivering the programme in the Kyangwali refugee community and host-community secondary schools.
