Stories

• Holding on to Hope: Khader’s Story

  In Beit Hanoun, on the northeastern border of the Gaza Strip, violence has been common, there is a large population of refugees, and poverty is rampant. Children rely on coaches like Khader to bring much-needed recreational and extracurricular activities that help them hold onto hope.

• Building a Community: Than’s Story

  Than is one of hundreds of thousands of Karen people who fled from government violence in Myanmar as a child. He has worked with Right To Play for many years, supporting children and families like his, separated or displaced, to discover the power within themselves to rise above difficult circumstances.

• Resilience: Daniyal’s Story

  The story of how one boy is coping with the trauma of the Beirut explosion.

• How Judith Stood Up to Female Genital Mutilation

  When schools closed due to COVID-19, Judith faced her worst fear. But she resisted the pressure of female genital mutilation.

• I Want to Learn: Mateus’s Story

  The story of how one boy refused to let COVID-19 stop him from learning.

• “Anyone Could Be Next”: Irene’s Story

  The story of how one girl in rural Ghana is defending her community from COVID-19.

• A Champion for Children: Danielle’s Story

  Danielle was just eight when the Burundi Civil War broke out in 1993. By 15, she had lost her family and was a refugee. Right To Play was present in her camp, and she became involved in 2002. She quickly became a young leader. This is her story.

• Witnessing the power of hope in action: Karen Conway's story

  For over a decade, Karen Conway has been inspired by the children in Right To Play programs, and has been working to expand our impact around the globe. This is her story.

• Dreaming Big: Eh Myo Oo’s Story

  Eh Myo Oo is a Takraw star in New Zealand. Just a few years ago, he was in a refugee camp in Thailand, struggling to access the outside world. This is his story.

• Sharing a Legacy of Learning – Karin Howell's Story

  As a teacher in Switzerland, Karin Howell quickly discovered the power play has on children's ability to learn. That is what brought her to Right To Play.

• Witnessing Transformation, Advocating for Education: Allyson Felix’s Story

  Education has always been an important part of Allyson Felix’s life. Providing education opportunities for others is why the legendary Olympian joined the Right To Play team.

• Tala Takes a Stand Against Gender Inequality

  It remains far too common for girls to not be given the same opportunities as boys growing up. Tala was expected to stay at home to do housework while the boys played. She challenged that idea.

• Rising: Aissa’s Story

  Aissa joined a Right To Play program in Mali 12 years ago. Now she's a leader, empowering girls through the non-profit organization she founded.

• A Desperate Decision: Antonia and Sarah’s Story

  Antonia and Sarah were nearly forced into marriage at just 12 and 10 years old, but the sisters are back with their families and re-enrolled in school. This is their story.

• Out of the Horrors of War, Hope

  Qasida's father was killed during the Syrian Civil War. Here's how she found hope.

• Aurora speaks truth to power

  These young people are using the power of storytelling to help eliminate child marriage and early pregnancy from their hometown.

• Life played out on the pitch

  Said is transforming and uniting his community from a dusty football pitch in Lebanon.

• Hearing Hands

  Ife is an advocate for the inclusion of deaf people in Ethiopian society.

• A girl with a voice is a strong girl

  In Elu Eteya, Ethiopia, Liya desperately wanted to stay in school. She needed support and she found it in this group.

• By finding her power on the field, Khansa found the power to say no to child marriage

  Khansa dared to do the impossible: stand up to child marriage. This shy, brilliant high-schooler found the power to challenge a deep-seated tradition and have her voice heard.

• To protect others, Rhobi used something even more powerful than tradition: her voice

  Rhobi uses her own painful experiences on the theater stage to warn children, parents and members of her community of the dangers of female genital mutilation.

• Opening the eyes of parents, to open doors to education

  Julienne is already a community legend at 12 years old. She believes that all children, especially girls, deserve to go to school and she is spreading her message to change the lives of her peers.

• How a child of war became a warrior for peace

  As a former Right To Play participant, Malual has become a beacon for hope.

• Moving together to move mountains

  A band of bold Malian youth are speaking up for children’s rights and protection, spreading their message on different platforms, including live theatrical performances.

• Gulmeena: girl champion and champion of girls

  In Peshewar, Pakistan, where deep-rooted traditions often obstruct girls' access to education, Gulmeena creates new opportunities and inspires hundreds of young girls from her region with her story.