Right To Play: Detailed Overview
Right To Play is a global non-profit organization that uses play, sports, and creative activities to help children in disadvantaged communities develop essential life skills, access quality education, and overcome adversity.
1. History & Founding
Right To Play was founded in 2000 by Johann Olav Koss, a four-time Olympic gold medalist from Norway. During a humanitarian visit to Eritrea in 1993, Koss saw firsthand how play and sports could inspire children, even in crisis situations. This experience led him to establish the organization with the vision of using play-based learning to protect, educate, and empower children.
Today, Right To Play operates in 15+ countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North America, reaching millions of children every year.
2. Mission & Vision
Mission:
To protect, educate, and empower children through play so they can thrive and rise above challenges like poverty, war, disease, and discrimination.
Vision:
A world where every child can engage in play-based learning to develop essential life skills and reach their full potential.
3. Core Areas of Work
Right To Play focuses on five key areas where play-based programs create lasting impact:
1. Quality Education 🎓
- Uses play-based teaching methods to improve learning outcomes.
- Works with teachers to make lessons more engaging and interactive.
- Encourages school enrollment and attendance, especially for girls and marginalized children.
2. Child Protection & Mental Well-Being 🛡️
- Creates safe spaces for children to express emotions and heal from trauma.
- Teaches children about their rights, reducing risks of abuse, violence, and exploitation.
- Supports refugee children in rebuilding their lives through structured play.
3. Gender Equality & Girls’ Empowerment 🚺
- Encourages equal participation of girls in education and sports.
- Challenges harmful gender norms that limit girls’ opportunities.
- Provides mentorship and leadership programs to help girls gain confidence.
4. Health & Hygiene Education 🏥
- Uses interactive games to teach children about hygiene, disease prevention, and healthy habits.
- Works in communities to combat issues like malnutrition, child marriage, and gender-based violence.
5. Peacebuilding & Social Inclusion ✌️
- Uses team sports and group activities to bridge divides between communities in conflict.
- Helps children develop skills like teamwork, conflict resolution, and leadership.
- Builds understanding and unity in war-affected and displaced communities.
4. Where Right To Play Works 🌍
Right To Play operates in over 15 countries in:
- Africa: Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda
- Asia: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand
- Middle East: Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine
- North America & Europe: Canada, Switzerland, Norway (for fundraising & advocacy)
5. How Right To Play Uses Play-Based Learning
Right To Play integrates sports, games, storytelling, music, drama, and creative play into its educational programs. Some examples include:
✅ Games that teach math and literacy (e.g., counting games, letter-matching activities).
✅ Role-playing exercises to help children practice social skills.
✅ Team sports like soccer to teach cooperation and conflict resolution.
✅ Storytelling activities to help children process emotions and experiences.
By engaging children in active learning, Right To Play ensures they retain knowledge better and develop skills like leadership, communication, and resilience.
6. Impact & Achievements
Right To Play has transformed the lives of millions of children worldwide. Some key achievements include:
📌 2.3 million children reached annually through play-based programs.
📌 Improved school attendance & learning outcomes in communities where programs run.
📌 70,000+ teachers trained in interactive, play-based teaching methods.
📌 Increased gender equality with more girls staying in school and participating in sports.
Their work has been recognized by UN agencies, governments, and educational institutions worldwide.
7. How to Get Involved
You can support Right To Play by:
💰 Donating – Contributions help fund education, training, and resources for children.
👕 Becoming an ambassador – Athletes and influencers help spread awareness.
🏃 Joining fundraising events – Marathons, charity runs, and auctions.
👐 Volunteering – Some locations offer opportunities to work with children.
8. The Right to Play as a Human Right
Beyond the organization, the right to play is also protected under international law.
🔹 Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) states that every child has the right to play, rest, and engage in recreational activities.
🔹 Play is essential for children’s mental, physical, and social development.
🔹 Lack of play opportunities can negatively impact education, emotional well-being, and creativity.
Right To Play’s work helps ensure this fundamental right is upheld for all children, especially in war zones, refugee camps, and impoverished areas.
Conclusion
Right To Play is more than just a sports-based organization—it is a movement that transforms lives through play, education, and empowerment. By ensuring children have access to safe and meaningful play, the organization helps them develop resilience, build brighter futures, and break the cycle of poverty and conflict.
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