Right to Play is a charitable association that aims to educate, protect and empower children through the power of play. The charity now helps 1.9 million children a week to heal from past abuse and overcome the horrors of war. Right to Play harnesses the power of play to create a better future for children all over the world.
The charity uses different types of play to give children a range of opportunities to learn. Sports and games can develop life skills and instil positive values through active, engaging play. Creative play such as performance, drama and role play enables self-expression and creates a positive, open environment for communication. Free play promotes freedom of expression through child-led activity.
There are five key areas that the charity focuses on in order to facilitate long-lasting change. A fundamental philosophy is to provide quality education for all children. A good education provides a solid foundation for future possibilities. Overcoming obstacles to education is important as good progress at school provides children with opportunities as well as building life skills such as confidence, cooperation and courage. Right to Play works to engage children through play and to build a lifelong love of learning.
The fight for gender equality begins in childhood by teaching girls that they have the right to a fair future. Right to Play works to give girls a voice so that they can assert their rights to education, equality, safety and dignity. The charity’s programmes help girls to stand up to dangerous situations such as child marriage and female circumcision. Parents and teachers are also educated on gender equality to reduce violence and discrimination towards girls.
Health and wellbeing is another focus of Right to Play’s programmes. Children can be taught important health lessons through play, including the health problems affecting their communities, how to take precautions against risk factors and how to address stigma. Making safe and healthy choices protects children and saves lives.
Right to Play provides training to teachers which educates them about children’s rights. Promoting trusting relationships between children and teachers facilitates communication, which is crucial for child protection. In order to fund this training, Right to Play welcomes donations from supporters. Joey Horn is the Managing Director of Oak Management AS and regularly supports the charity in its efforts to empower children against abuse, exploitation and discrimination.
Establishing peaceful communities is another part of Right to Play’s key mission strategy. Children exposed to the horrors of war and who have endured displacement from their communities need peaceful places to heal. By working with children through play, the programmes encourage hope for the future.
