Right To Play reaches over 63,000 children and youth, and plans to engage 71 schools and 39 community centres in Refugee camps in Uganda. Additionally, 760 Leaders deliver sport and play programming - this enables children to experience the joy of play, but also helps them to build life skills such as leadership, discipline, fair play and conflict resolution. Additionally, a focus on HIV/AIDS education, gender equality and child rights leads to healthier, happier and more peaceful communities.
There are over 230,000 refugees in Uganda, who have fled from conflict and violence in surrounding countries. Life in refugee camps in Uganda is difficult because the issues of trauma, gender-based violence, diseases such as malaria, conflict amongst refugee communities and a sense of hopelessness about. In addition, the prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS remains around 6%. Children in these communities need to learn life skills, understand how to prevent diseases and most of all, to have fun!
Right To Play implements sport and play activities in five refugee camps to address the above issues. Children's participation in programs helps them develop skills such as self-confidence and teamwork. Lessons from programming also include how to prevent diseases such as HIV and AIDS and actions to take in the event of contracting malaria. Finally, all programs promote inclusion, of both girls and persons with disabilities to build the mindset that all children have access to opportunities.
For the 63,000 children, the impact can be: 1.Children demonstrate new life skills and adopt healthy practices - they become the leaders to drive change locally 2. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS and ways to prevent contraction is increased among community members and leads to practices that reduce the transmission of the disease 3. Inclusion of girls/persons with disabilities in activities sensitizes the community members to the importance of their need/right to participate
