Supporting Well-Being

Every child should have the support and space they need to thrive.

Children are among the most vulnerable group of people in the world. And the world is becoming a more uncertain place to grow up in. One in six children live in a conflict zone,and more than 43 million children are forcibly displaced. 129 million girls worldwide are out of school. And half the world’s children live in places that are at high risk of climate disasters.

For children who experience forced displacement, violence, and discrimination, the effects of trauma can be severe and lasting. Their education may be disrupted, and they may be subjected to abuse and exploitation. Girls and children with disabilities are often the most affected.

For more than 25 years, we have been supporting children’s well-being, helping them to cope with trauma, challenge harmful traditional practices, access quality education, and develop the skills they need to thrive. We do it using children’s language: play.

Our Focus

Emotional Well-Being

Children in fragile and crisis contexts receive play-based psychosocial support from trained coaches and teachers. Playful sessions in safe spaces help children cope with trauma and uncertainty, express difficult emotions, regain a sense of control over their lives, and hold on to hope.

Gender Equality and Girls' Well-Being

Girls experiencing marginalization and abuse are empowered to challenge harmful gender norms and claim their rights. Through games, sports, and leadership clubs, they learn life and leadership skills, and gain the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their bodies and their health.

Crisis Situations

Children living through conflict and climate disasters receive emergency supplies and psychosocial support that helps them cope with trauma and hold on to hope.

Supporting Indigenous Youth

Children in Indigenous communities in Canada can access culturally relevant, play-based programming that supports emotional well-being and reinforces cultural identity.

Selected Impact

Through the Children’s Emergency Fund, children living through emergencies have received supplies, psychosocial support, and educational support. In 2022, when catastrophic flooding displaced more than eight million people in Pakistan, Right To Play coaches and volunteers rapidly mobilized to offer play-based psychosocial support to flood-affected children to help them cope with stress and anxiety and help them to return to learning.

16,000 displaced children and youth in Burundi are receiving psychosocial support and developing life skills like communication and conflict resolution through the Sports Protects project. Coaches and youth peer leaders are being trained in child safeguarding and gender-responsive approaches to support young people affected by conflict.

More than 162,000 young people in Ghana, Mozambique, and Uganda are learning how to keep themselves safe from disease and becoming advocates for their health and well-being through the SHARE project. Through community-based mentorship groups and school health clubs, community mentors and health workers are supporting young people to claim their sexual and reproductive health and rights

Girls in Tanzania are learning how to protect themselves from abuse and claim their rights through the Save Her Seat project. Right To Play-trained teachers and Girls’ Clubs are helping to ensure that 4,800 girls stay in school and gain knowledge of menstrual health and hygiene practices.

Over 10,000 young people in Senegal are building the knowledge and skills they need to advocate for their rights and well-being. In collaboration with Global Affairs Canada, the RECAF-JEU project is addressing harmful social and gender norms, with an emphasis on reducing gender-based violence.

Youth in Indigenous communities in Canada have increased access to playful, safe, and culturally relevant and sensitive spaces and activities that enhance the well-being of Indigenous youth. These spaces have provided a nurturing environment for over 2,000 youth annually. 80% of youth say they feel more connected to their community because of the program.