Little Superheroes was a youth-led initiative in Pakistan focused on early intervention for children with intellectual disabilities between the ages of 2 to 7. Through engaging activities, the project empowered young athletes and introduced youth volunteers to inclusion and disability awareness.
Youth Leaders Yumna Masood and Syeda Humaira Kazim were inspired by previous youth-led Young Athletes (YA) camps and the impact of early support on long-term development. Yumna’s personal experience with a young girl named Areeba helped her understand the life-changing power of compassion and early engagement.
The team hosted a series of inclusive play sessions that paired young athletes with youth leaders in a safe, engaging environment. Activities focused on developmental play, communication, and cooperation, supported by trained staff and pre-session sensitization workshops for volunteers.
The project engaged 40 athletes with intellectual disabilities, 45 peers without ID, and 29 new youth leaders. It reached over 3,000 people on social media and created lasting change in perceptions and confidence levels among youth participants.
The leaders are most proud of the fun, joy, and leadership that emerged from their sessions, especially Humaira’s growth into a confident youth leader. They plan to continue organizing inclusive activities with help from the National Youth Leadership Council and are already planning future events in schools.