Some kids dream
A gift of just £5 today could help provide a football or a toy for a child refugee.
Across Europe this summer, kids in their back gardens and down at their local parks dreamt of being the next football superstar: the next Cole Palmer; the next Kylian Mbappe; the next Nico Williams. But there is a corner of Europe where kids just dream of having a football to kick. Could you give the gift of play to a child at a refugee camp on Lesbos or Cyprus today?
Your gift of just £5 could help BMS World Mission provide footballs and toys for every mother who visits the women’s centres at the refugee camps on Lesbos and Cyprus.
A first visit to a refugee camp on Lesbos inspired Rodrigo Assis da Silva, the head of our partner on the ground, to add balls and toys to the clothes, hygiene products and safe spaces they were providing to women through their centres.
"When I entered the refugee camp on the island of Lesbos for the first time, I was shocked. One of the things that struck me the most was the lack of space and resources for children to play.
“There were tents literally everywhere, and one main small narrow road to walk in between. There were no playgrounds. There were no football pitches. Many children had no proper toys. In one corner of the camp, I saw a group of children by the dump, connecting pieces of metal garbage to strings and pulling it over pretending it was a toy car.
“In the other corner of the camp, I saw a group of boys kicking a worn out, flat football that had a hole in it and couldn't keep the air inside. Things have improved slightly but having enough space, resources and toys to play with continues to be a huge challenge for refugee children."
How your gifts will make a difference
£5 could provide footballs and toys for a mother who visits our women’s centre.
£12 could provide essential food items for a woman and her children, nourishing them for a whole month.
£18 could provide vital hygiene items such as soap and sanitary products for five families who have nothing.
If you have a question about giving to BMS, or would prefer to give by phone or cheque:
Call us on 01235 517641 Monday to Friday 10 am – 4 pm. When you call BMS, please mention that your gift is for the Some kids dream appeal.
Email us at supportercare@bmsworldmission.org
Your money will be used to support All4Aid on Lesbos. If the target is exceeded your donation will be used to support Help for the Journey on the move wherever the need is greatest.
Why BMS World Mission?
Whether it is Syrian refugees in Lebanon since 2011, Ukrainians across Europe since the Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, work in Europe’s largest refugee camp since 2021 or conflict survivors in South Sudan in 2019, BMS World Mission has a long and strong record of working with displaced people across the world.
Our Help for the Journey work means offering as much ‘home’ as we can to refugees who have had to flee home. While they are on the road, home can look like clean clothes, nourishing food, a safe place to wash and rest - and a place for children to play.
By giving today, you can give refugee children on the islands of Lesbos and Cyprus the chance to be children in the midst of chaos.
Our work in 2023
Impact by numbers
Refugees cared for by BMS-supported projects
People trained for refugee work through BMS-supported ministries
BMS-supported partner workers focusing on refugee projects
Who are BMS World Mission?
BMS World Mission mobilises people, resources and skills across the Global Church to share the good news of Jesus and practical hope where they’re needed most.
We work hand-in-hand with global organisations, mission workers and supporters to: share Christ and nurture disciples; alleviate suffering and injustice; enable all God’s people to play their part in his mission.
Why we work with refugees
BMS Programme Lead Sam Chaise explains what motivates his work in this video.