Stories
From Player to Pioneer: How Asia Is Breaking Barriers for Girls in Pakistan
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Transforming Attitudes Towards Gender and Health: Ruth’s Story
Ruth’s Ugandan classroom was once divided by gender norms. Through the SHARE program, she learned how to break down barriers and taboos, make learning inclusive and fun, and integrate sexual and reproductive health topics into her lessons. The change in her classroom is also happening in the community, contributing to stronger bonds between parents and children and more support for education.
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From Fighter to Coach: How Franck Inspires Youth
Franck is a respected Coach, entrepreneur, and community leader in Maramvya, Burundi. He runs the Maramvya Youth Football Club, a community-owned team that brings together young people from different backgrounds to play, learn, and grow. But Franck’s path wasn’t always one of peace. In post-war Burundi, he was once part of a violent political youth group that targeted those with opposing views. His turning point came when he became a coach through Right To Play’s Amahoro and Twabinire peacebuilding projects. There, he learned to use play to teach empathy, cooperation, and peaceful conflict resolution. That experience transformed him from a divider into a unifying force. Today, he continues to apply those tools to create safe spaces where young people can grow into leaders and peacebuilders.
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From Scavenging Balls to Building Futures: Daniel’s Story
What began as a child’s fascination with play became a lifelong mission. Right To Play alumnus Daniel Oguzu now mentors children in Uganda using the same games that helped him escape poverty and discover his potential. His journey from program participant to staff member proves play’s power to create lasting change.
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Parenting with Love: Vastina’s Story
Vastina once struggled to support the needs of her daughter, Christine, who lives with a disability. Poverty, social stigma, and inadequate support and services created stress and tension in their home. Through Right To Play’s Play To Grow parent education program, she learned how to support Christine and her five other children, and began sharing her skills and experiences with fellow parents. Her story shows how empowering parents with play-based strategies can strengthen parent-child bonds and support child development.
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Claire: The Parent Who Learned to Play Again
In Uganda’s Nakivale settlement, Claire transformed from a stern, exhausted parent to a playful, nurturing mother thanks to the support she found in Right To Play’s Play To Grow program. Once feared by her children, Claire now creates homemade toys, tells stories, and uses play to teach crucial skills while building stronger family bonds. Her story demonstrates how play-based parenting can heal relationships, promote equal treatment of children, and create positive change that ripples throughout the community.
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From Withdrawn to Confident: How Play Unlocked Hamza’s Potential
Hamza started school shy, withdrawn, and far behind. With limited support during the pandemic and early schooling done online, he missed key moments of learning and connection. But over four years in the EQIE program, Hamza transformed into a confident, expressive student. He built independence, formed friendships, and discovered joy in learning through structured play, emotional support, and life-skills activities.
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Becoming Coaches: Manar, Yara, And Abeer's Stories
In Lebanon, youth coaches Manar, Yara, and Abeer lead music-based activities that help children, many of them refugees, navigate emotional challenges and social issues through the Music for Development and Social Change program. Once program participants who benefited from the program, they’re now helping create safe spaces for younger children where hope and empowerment have replaced anxiety and despair.
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A Pathway Back to School: Hamza and Mustafa's Story
Hamza and Mustafa were forced to drop out of school when their parents could no longer afford school fees. Their mother heard about an accelerated learning program being offered at a nearby non-formal education centre that helped out-of-school students catch up on learning and stream back into the school system. The boys were skeptical at first, but the games their teacher used made learning math and reading fun and not intimidating. They earned their certificate and are now in Grade 7.
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