Stories
A Pathway Back to School: Hamza and Mustafa's Story
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From Withdrawn to Confident: How Play Unlocked Hamza’s Potential
Hamza started school shy, withdrawn, and far behind.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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From Silence to Science: Mahnoor's Story
Mahnoor's father passed when she was very young, leaving her and her mother struggling with poverty. As a girl, Mahnoor struggled to speak up or claim her agency. Thanks to her Right To Play-trained Coach, Shamim, Mahnoor developed her confidence and resilience. She became a Junior Leader who inspired many other girls in the school. Now 20, Mahnoor is studying to become a gynecologist so she can help women and girls in her community.
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Growing Beyond Trauma: Anita’s Story
Anita’s childhood ended at age seven when she fled Burundi. For years, survival was her only language—until she discovered play could heal what war had broken. Through Right To Play’s program, this refugee mother who once saw no value in games now counts straws with her children and greets their morning hugs with joy. Her story proves it is never too late to reclaim the childhood you lost, or to give your children the one you never had.
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Finding Joy in Parenting: Benia’s Story
Benia was a struggling single father in Uganda, overwhelmed by personal challenges and disconnected from his children. But through Right To Play’s Play To Grow program, he learned to use play-based learning to strengthen his bond with his sons. Now, Benia spends his days laughing, playing soccer, and crafting toys with his children, proving that a little play can transform lives and families.
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Building Greener Schools and Communities in Kampala
At schools in Uganda, Right To Play-supported Environment Clubs are helping children understand and address climate change. Through play-based activities, community clean-up drives, and an upcycled urban garden, children are learning about the importance of sustainability and becoming young environmental advocates.
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From a Struggling Tutor to an Award-Winning Teacher: Shamim’s Story
Shamim always wanted to be a teacher and make a difference in children’s lives, but a lack of training held her back. As a tutor, she struggled to support her students’ learning and often became angry and frustrated as a result. But that changed when she joined the What Works I programme as a volunteer Coach. There she got training on how to create inclusive and positive learning environments that help children succeed. Ten years later, she’s an award-winning Montessori teacher who has been recognised for her efforts to nurture students’ skills and well-being.
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How a child of war became a warrior for peace: Malual’s Story
Right To Play alumnus Malual Bol Kiir, who fled war in South Sudan as a child and found his way to peace through the #PowerofPlay, has a message of hope for children in Right To Play programs today. For 25 years, we've empowered a generation of children using play and sport to create peace in troubled places.
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