Special Olympics Unified with Refugees Senior Advisor Gerald Mballe travelled to Madrid, Spain, on 13 – 14 December to visit a refugee reception center and a local school, and foster connections between refugees, people with intellectual disabilities and their host communities.
The trip began at Centro de Acogida de Protección Internacional (CAPI – International Protection Reception Center) Alcobendas, where Mballe delivered a heartfelt address to the staff and refugees, highlighting the global mission and significant impact of the Unified with Refugees program.
Launched in 2016 with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), the initiative has reached over 10,000 refugee youth, offering opportunities for integration, empowerment, and social connection. ESPN and sportswear company ON, through its social impact programme ‘Right To Run’, have also supported Unified with Refugees.
Mballe said: "The mission of Unified with Refugees is simple yet powerful: to create opportunities for refugees and people with intellectual disabilities through sports.”
“Since its inception, we’ve seen first-hand how this programme has transformed lives by breaking down barriers and building lasting relationships."
The following day, Mballe attended a Unified sports event at Colegio Areteia in Madrid. Unified basketball and football matches were held bringing together students, Special Olympics athletes, and refugees. Unified Sports pairs individuals with and without intellectual disabilities on the same teams, fostering mutual understanding, respect, and teamwork.
Mballe, a former refugee himself, reflected on the power of these events: "Sports have the unique ability to bridge divides and unite people from all walks of life. Through the Special Olympics Unified with Refugees programme, we’ve created spaces where refugees and people with intellectual disabilities can learn from each other and experience the joy of playing together."
“These events in Madrid were a testament to the strength of diversity and the potential for communities to grow through sports and inclusion. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to CAPI Alcobendas and to Colegio Areteia for hosting such engaging and impactful events, which are helping to promote understanding and inspire positive change in our communities."
Unified with Refugees, active in 15 countries including Spain, Italy, Kenya, and Thailand, has been instrumental in empowering two of the world’s most marginalized populations, providing platforms for them to excel and belong.
