In 2020, war erupted between the federal Ethiopian government and forces in the northern Tigray region. Dubbed the Tigray Crisis, the two-year conflict significantly disrupted life and spread uncertainty throughout the region. As is the case in the wake of such destruction, children bear the brunt of the scars.
Compassion International Ethiopia (CIE) witnessed the effects of the conflict that deeply affected children and families in two of its cities, capital Mekelle, and Jimma. Its leaders and church partners wanted to restore hope to their most vulnerable—children—but found it difficult to capture their attention.
Centers offered trauma counseling and Bible lessons, but that still didn’t eradicate the lackluster look in their eyes or bring back the energy children should have.
One of the centers asked a group of children to draw a picture of conflict. Their pages were splashed in red with images of one child hiding under his bed and other depictions of violence. Fear and despair were palpable
They were then asked to draw a picture of hope. Pages filled with stick figures scattered across a soccer pitch kicking a ball around and enjoying the game. This was the inextinguishable power of play.
CIE noticed the stark differences in the drawings, but church partners lacked ways to engage them. Could sports help coax these kids out of their hurt to engage true healing?
What could play look like, and how would it help with the years of trauma and heavy hearts?
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Sheleme Bekele grew up in a Compassion program. A black and white photo of a younger Sheleme, identified as child number 127, is pinned to a board among other portraits at that center.
As a Compassion program graduate and current FCA International Sports Affiliate in Ethiopia, Sheleme was the perfect one to bring the two organizations together. Sheleme knew the access sports offered and how integral hope was to a young heart.
Both local organizations developed a program that integrated trauma-informed play, improving the children’s physical health as well as building character, trust, teamwork and an experiential deepening of their faith.
“Kingdom impact is multiplied when partners unite around a shared mission,” said FCA Chief Strategic Officer Jeff Martin. “We have seen that happen in amazing ways as Compassion and FCA have locked arms to minister to children through sports in Ethiopia.”
In 2025, an FCA team, including Jeff, Executive Vice President of Club Sports Shaun Smithson and FCA Regional Director of International for the Southeast Central Region Swayze Waters, joined with Compassion program directors to train coaches and church leaders through 3D Coaching and FCA’s E3 Discipleship models.
This became “coaching the heart behind the jersey,” as Swayze referred to it.
These equipped leaders now serve as spiritual and athletic guides for over 1,250 youth. Sports equipment and resources were also collected and distributed for full, holistic skills development, and hosted soccer tournaments and sports trainings.
"Our goal was always more than just physical activity; it was about nurturing their whole being, spirit and all,” said CIE Country Director Dr. Tsehaywota Tadesse.
It’s amazing how quickly kids blossom when they have space to run and influential adults provide intentional time to care for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
“Many have passed through this project and achieved better opportunities, better lives,” Sheleme said. “I was also able to coach many children who, like me, escaped the darkness and live in the light.”
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Jubilant cheers and hand claps coursed through the soccer pitch where athletes gathered at Mekelle Stadium for a sport festival and tournament. Boys wore jerseys of assorted colors, bounced on the balls of their feet in line for drills and released years of pent-up energy and hurt as they dashed across the cement field, calling out to one another for the ball and to place teammates in position. This marked the first event held in three years.
The light rain and wet ground did nothing to dampen the day. Fans sat scattered throughout the bleachers to watch these boys loosen up as they abandoned worries to the wind. Echoes of screams and gunfire faded as smiles replaced stoic faces, and nimble bodies navigated cones and courts for feet work. Back and forth banter became normal talk, another day of activity releasing tension, uncovering life underneath the pain.
And if you watched faces closely, eyes lit up once again with joy.
Participant Ezana Desta from Mekelle shared, "The conflict was a very challenging season in my life. The coaches here use sport to teach us how to have hope again."
To hear the next generation has hope again is sweet fulfillment and answered prayers for the Compassion and FCA leaders. For both organizations, it is only the beginning. They have plans to collaborate in more communities and countries.
“Through this partnership, we can advance our commitment to holistic child development, helping children develop crucial skills, such as communication, teamwork and resilience, that are foundational for their futures,” said Tsehaywota.
“More importantly,” he added, “children are further known, loved and protected by a community of faith-centered coaches, athletes and caring adults who continually point them to a Savior who loves them deeply."
Swayze deems the ultimate goal of both organizations is for kids to kick a soccer ball and recognize God loves them, whether in the middle of a war-torn town or on a grass and dirt field snug between buildings.
And he prays for more pictures of stick figures in vibrant colors and smiles brushed across faces, for freedom in living loved by God through the power of play.
Then, he hopes, "Maybe, just for a moment, life is normal again."
Watch the powerful video of Compassion International and FCA’s partnership in action.
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Photos courtesy of Compassion International