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Woman reading to children at refugee camp through Little Ripples education program iAct

OUR WORK

Community-led programs creating safe, joyful opportunities.

iACT partners with refugee and conflict-affected communities to create and sustain programs where children can learn, play, build confidence, and thrive.

Green cycle pointing to how iAct services operate

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

We build with communities, not for them.

iACT’s work is rooted in long-term partnership, shared leadership, and the belief that people affected by conflict are best positioned to shape the programs and solutions their communities need.

young child laughing while doing warm up stretches at the Refugees United Soccer Academy iACT Program in Mexico

REACH & IMPACT

“There are changes in the children’s ability to hope.”

— RUSA Coach, Chad

Research has found that iACT programs do more than create a sense of belonging and build confidence. As children spend more time in our soccer program, they regain the ability to hope — to imagine a future where they can become a doctor, a president, or a professional soccer player. They regain their ability to dream.

Meals & Play

Children consistently share that their favorite things about Little Ripples are the games they play and the meals they are served

Encouragement

Children in the RUSA program across locations share that they receive encouragement from the coaches, and that helps them improve their soccer skills and feel a part of the team.

Confident & Peaceful

100% of caregivers surveyed in camps Touloum, Iridimi, and Kouchagine-Moura reported that the Little Ripples program fundamentally transformed their children’s behavior, shifting them from anxious and isolated to confident, peaceful and school-ready.

WHERE WE WORK

Rooted in hard-to-reach communities around the world.

iACT intentionally works in hard-to-reach regions, where access to aid and humanitarian organizations is often limited. We work alongside communities to build sustainable and accessible programming for children and families.

iACT Website Map of locations they serve refugees with sports and educational programming

OUR THEORY OF CHANGE

Shifting power creates lasting change.

community icon

IF

iACT shifts power, resources, ownership, and decision-making to refugee and conflict-affected people, then community members will design, lead, and sustain high-quality early learning and sports programs.

child reading book icon

WHICH RESULTS IN

More children experiencing joyful, developmentally appropriate opportunities to learn, play, and develop social-emotional skills in safe, stable environments.

community in heart hands icon

LEADING TO

Improved child development outcomes, strengthened community leadership and cohesion, and sustainable local systems that reduce long-term dependence on external aid.

OUR PROGRAMS

Programs developed with communities and led by communities.

iACT works in partnership with refugee and conflict-affected communities to create programs that center children, build local leadership, create meaningful employment, and support long-term community wellbeing.

Refugees United Soccer Academy iACT Logo

REFUGEES UNITED SOCCER ACADEMY

Structured sports programming that blends skills training with mindfulness and wellbeing, promotes gender equality, and creates pathways to leadership.

Little Ripples iACT Logo

LITTLE RIPPLES

A play-based preschool program rooted in the belief that evidence-based, trauma-informed education can be accessible, adaptable, and community-led in any context. 

Amplifi iACT Logo

AMPLIFi

Citizen journalism that shifts power to those experiencing displacement and conflict, addressing barriers that keep their voices unheard. 

MEET OUR COMMUNITY

Leadership begins within the community.

“I’ve seen the impact that iACT has on a child. We see children very depressed. We see children that are very sad. And once they join the program, they understand that they are valuable. That they are important. And that their life matters.”

Liliana Carlos, RUSA Coordinator, Mexico

Mama Futbolera program coordinator for Refugees United Soccer Academy iACT Program in Mexico
Children playing soccer in the Refugees United Soccer Academy - iAct

DID YOU KNOW?

$240 can provide one full year of preschool.

A gift of $240 can provide an entire year at a Little Ripples preschool for one boy or girl, creating a safe and joyful place to learn, grow, and thrive.

OUR PARTNERS & SPONSORS

Partnership makes this work possible.

iACT is supported by and partners with advocacy groups, non-governmental organizations, and companies to facilitate and advocate for a refugee- and community-led model of humanitarian action.

JRS Logo
InsightLA Mediation logo
Moving Minds Alliance logo
Ripple logo
The Side Walk School logo
UEFA Foundation logo
Angel City FC logo
Ockenden International Logo
Football for the Goals logo
Bainum Family Foundation logo
PAEMA logo
InterAction logo
Cedars Sinai logo
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