The “What Sports Mean to Me” project by Strong Kids Global was an initiative to let the young people's voices in our program be heard. More than 150 mentees have sent us their quotes, letters, and videos expressing what being active and being part of a group means to them. These young ones’ words reflect the core values of our organization — personal growth, connection, and self-belief.
Mentees mentioned the learning of cooperation, rigour, and perseverance that sports made possible. Others said that through sports they could manage their stress, thus gradually building their confidence. Still, others talked about the sense of community their teams gave them along with the lesson that striving is more important than perfection.
A thirteen-year-old mentee from Georgia wrote, “Initially, I thought that being strong meant to be the quickest. However, now I can say that it is about not losing faith in oneself.”
The submissions came from students of middle and high schools who were part of sports like basketball, volleyball, baseball, and swimming. They all said the same — sports were never just contests, they were means of building stamina, acquiring friends, and gaining self-confidence.
The mentors who perused these letters said that it was a reminder of their purpose. The mentees’ messages in this case faded that strength is not only about the physical part or medals — it is about endurance and self-affirmation.
150 voices. One message: the bond that has been created is the strength.
