Location and general information
Access to Sport - 
Employability - 
Environmental protection - 
Gender Equality - 
Healthy lifestyle - 
Personal developmentContext
Haiti is facing a prolonged, multidimensional crisis marked by widespread insecurity, economic collapse, and the near absence of public services. Gang violence, political instability, inflation exceeding 40%, food insecurity, and recurring health emergencies (including cholera outbreaks) have deeply affected daily life, particularly for children and young adults. While international attention focuses on urban centres, rural communities are often overlooked. In the areas where GOALS Haiti operates, there are no other youth services, access to education and healthcare is limited, and children have very few safe spaces to gather, learn or play.
These conditions place children and adolescents at heightened risk of trauma, poor health, school dropout, gender-based violence, and social isolation. Without positive alternatives, young people are increasingly vulnerable to negative coping mechanisms or forced migration to unsafe urban areas.
Project goals
- Improve the health and well-being of children and young adults in rural Haiti by ensuring regular access to safe sport, play, health education, and nutrition in communities where no other youth services exist
- Expand access to education and learning opportunities for underserved young people by reducing barriers to schooling and strengthening literacy, academic skills and life skills through integrated sport-based programming
- Help young people to develop confidence, leadership skills, and positive life pathways so that they can make informed decisions, contribute to their communities, and shape their own futures
- Promote gender equality and inclusion through sport and education by ensuring girls and boys participate equally and by creating leadership opportunities for girls and young women
- Strengthen community cohesion and youth civic engagement by engaging young people in community service and environmental action that improves local conditions, and fosters shared responsibility
Project content
Aktive Jen Yo is built around daily football and inclusive purposeful play sessions that provide children and adolescents with safe, consistent spaces where they regain a sense of normalcy and learn teamwork, discipline, communication and respect. The sessions are intentionally designed to include girls and boys equally and to model positive social norms through play.Alongside sport, the project
delivers integrated education and life-skills programming. Young people participate in literacy classes, tutoring and school support to strengthen reading, numeracy and critical thinking skills. Life-skills education – including leadership, problem-solving, conflict resolution, gender equality and decision-making – is embedded within both classroom sessions and on-field activities, reinforcing learning through practical experience.
Health education is a core component: trained staff and partners lead sessions on hygiene, disease prevention, sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence awareness. Participants also receive a daily meal and access to clean drinking water during activities, supporting their physical health and concentration while reinforcing healthy habits.
The project places a strong emphasis on youth leadership, community service and environmental action. Young people take part in leadership workshops and lead community projects addressing local needs, such as tree planting, recycling initiatives and maintaining community gardens. These activities encourage civic responsibility, strengthen community ties and give the youngsters visible roles as contributors and leaders within their villages.
All activities are delivered by a locally led team of trained coaches, educators and community leaders, ensuring cultural relevance and responding to community needs. Regular monitoring, feedback from participants and community involvement guide ongoing adaptations and improvements to the activities provided.
Partner
