We believe that all kids
deserve the chance to play.

Palabek Refugee Settlement opened in April 2017, and the FUNDaFIELD team first visited just two months later when the population had already grown to more than 30,000 people, the majority women and children. During that visit, camp leadership identified youth idleness as a serious concern and emphasized the urgent need for structured programs and safe spaces where young people could gather, play, and build community.

Since opening the first field in Zone 1 in 2018, FUNDaFIELD’s work in Palabek has steadily grown into a lasting, community-centered program with three active soccer fields now located at schools within Zones 1, 5, and 7. What began as a single response to youth idleness has evolved into a network of safe, welcoming spaces where young people gather daily to play, learn, and connect. By partnering directly with schools inside the settlement, these fields serve as more than playing grounds, they are hubs for mentorship, leadership development, and inclusive programs for both girls and boys, helping create structure, opportunity, and a renewed sense of hope for thousands living within the community.