Stories

ENERGIZING EDUCATION IN GHANA

“It is through play-based learning that children can actually interact and engage among themselves,” says Charles Odoom, Municipal Education Director with Ghana Education Service. “By doing this, they entrench core skills and competencies like critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative communication. So, I think Ghana cannot do without it.”

MAKING MENSTRUAL PADS MAKES WAY FOR GIRLS’ EDUCATION

Jacqueline inspects colourful squares of fabric assembled on a wooden table. She selects a piece of pale blue along with thread, sewing needles, and scissors. She has what she needs to stitch together a reusable menstrual pad – a small item that will have a big impact on her life.

HOW BANARD'S PLAYFUL PARENTING EMPOWERS HIS DAUGHTERS

"My children and I have bonded through play. I encourage their efforts in all they do at home ... I have also been able to teach them literacy and numeracy using different play materials." - Banard

HOW AMNA IS LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR GIRLS

FINDING A PLACE TO BELONG: ABUNDANCE’S STORY

“Growing up, I was hesitant to interact with my fellow pupils at school because I was afraid of being hurt. I was also afraid to speak in front of my fellow children because I felt that I was different from my peers and they would laugh at me,” he says.

HOW FREDA KEEPS HER LARGE CLASS LEARNING

Throughout most of her career, Freda's approach to teaching was a one-way street: Freda taught, and her students listened. In 2021, Freda received training from Right To Play on how to make learning more engaging through play. The training was delivered through the Partners in Play project which is supported by the LEGO Foundation.

HOW SEENAA & SABBOONTU ARE DESTIGMATIZING MENSTRUATION

"During menstruation, I used to miss classes for at least a week because there was no safe place to change a sanitary pad in our school." - Seenaa, 16

In Ethiopia, many girls are forced to miss school during their periods because of stigma associated with menstruation and a lack of access to the products they need. When Seenaa and Sabboontu joined a Girls’ Club at their school, the two girls found a space where they were able to talk openly about reproductive health with other young people and learn how to sew reusable menstrual pads. Read more about how Seenaa and Sabboontu are sharing their knowledge to destigmatize attitudes about menstruation in the full article below.

HOW DZIDZORNU IS CLAIMING HER CONFIDENCE

A few years ago, the thought of standing in front of a group of her peers would have made Dzidzornu, 17, cringe. Her shyness and low self-esteem made it difficult for her to make friends, engage in the classroom, or even respond to questions from her teacher or parents. But through the support of a Right To Play-organised Junior Leaders club in Ghana, Dzidzornu has come out of her shell, claimed her confidence, and become an influential leader among her peers.