Nicely said, @coachjoachim!
I'm glad you jumped in and shared your own experiences from a professional point of view. My partners from the Red Cross told me something very similiar. They said: "A day at the beach might have a stronger impact on their lives in the long run than anything else." Yes, they need food, school books, clothes and a lot more. However, health (including fitness and sports) comes always first.

Best of luck for your own doings!