Right To Play Uganda

On April 9th, we were honored to host Nathalie Garon, Deputy Director for Education Programming at Global Affairs Canada (GAC). GAC is a valued partner in supporting education and health programs in Uganda, including the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) Project—a consortium initiative led by Right To Play, in collaboration with WaterAid, FAWE (Forum for African Women Educationalists), and the technical partner FHI 360. During her visit, we proudly shared some of the remarkable milestones achieved under the SHARE project: ✅ Empowered adolescent girls and boys through 260 health clubs across 130 schools ✅ Strengthened 156 Community-Based Mentorship Groups, each with 30 active youth mentors ✅ Supported 63 health facilities to offer youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Buyende and Adjumani districts Nathalie highlighted the critical role of refugee-led organizations in refugee-hosting districts and underscored the importance of investing in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to improve refugee livelihoods and build sustainable futures. We are grateful for GAC’s support and remain committed to empowering young people through access to quality education, health services, and life skills. #GlobalGlobal Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada #FAWEFAWE RS #GertrudeGertrude Emojong #FHIFHI 360 # WaterAid #Refugeeledorganisations #YouthEmpowerment Right To Play

Introducing the Thriving Through Play project! We're excited to launch this comprehensive program aimed at enhancing the well-being and resilience of children through innovative play-based methods. Operating in Uganda, this initiative focuses on supporting children's health and social-emotional skills as they transition from pre-primary to primary education. Why is this important? Children's psychosocial well-being is crucial for their holistic development and mental health. By integrating play into mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programs, we aim to create a safe and engaging environment where children can thrive. Our outcome areas include: · Strengthening parent-child and teacher-child relationships  · Supporting children to develop coping strategies and self-regulation  · Enhancing social-emotional learning and psychosocial well-being Thriving Through Play is made possible thanks to the support of The LEGO Foundation Right To Play

Right To Play Uganda is Hiring a MEL Coordinator. Know anyone interested?

Happy International Women's Day from Right To Play Uganda! Today, we celebrate the incredible strength, resilience, and achievements of women and girls across Uganda and around the world. At Right To Play Uganda, we are inspired every day by the girls who defy barriers, the mothers who nurture dreams, and the women who lead change in their communities. When we invest in girls' education, provide safe spaces for them to thrive, and equip them with the tools to lead, we unlock limitless potential—not just for them, but for their families, communities, and the world. There is tremendous power in empowering women and girls through education, sport, and play. To the women coaches, teachers, mentors, and leaders who are transforming lives through play: thank you for your dedication and passion. You are shaping a brighter, more equitable future for all. Let us continue to champion gender equality, break down stereotypes, and create opportunities for every girl to dream boldly and achieve greatly. Together, we can build a world where every woman and girl can rise, thrive, and lead. Happy International Women’s Day! 💜 #IWD2024 #InvestInWomen #RightToPlayUganda #GenderEquality #WomenEmpowerment

Tomorrow is International Women’s Day! Join us as we celebrate how play transforms lives—from safer health choices to empowered futures. Every additional year of primary school boosts a girl’s eventual wages by 10-20%. Because when girls learn, communities thrive. Let’s level the playing field together. #CountdownToIWD #GirlsRights #RightToPlay"

As a child growing up in central Ethiopia, Hana dreamed that she would one day use her voice to create meaningful change for her community. With the support and opportunities she got from a Right To Play coach, Hana found the confidence to be herself and make her dreams reality. Right To Play has been there for children for 25 years, helping them to believe in themselves and achieve their potential and dreams. Participants like Hana are a testament to the #PowerOfPlay. Read her story: Inspiring Tomorrow’s Changemakers in Ethiopia: https://lnkd.in/gU3y8g5J

Strengthening Partnerships to End Teenage Pregnancy in Busoga Right To Play Uganda engaged with Busoga Kingdom leadership in a high-level advocacy meeting on teenage pregnancy. The meeting, which brought together the Deputy Chief Prince, the Chief Princess, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, ministers (Gender, Youth, ICT, Health), royal chiefs, and other kingdom officials, emphasized the need for urgent, collective action to protect adolescents and keep them in school. Our Country Director Titus Gerald Tumusiime emphasized the need to work with Busoga kingdom to address adolescent health needs in the region. "Many children in Busoga do not go to school and get pregnant at a young age. We can do much better if we work with the Kingdom to synergize, collaborate, and leverage our collective influence and resources," Titus said. The Busoga Kingdom Speaker, George William Wanume, acknowledged the region’s rich history of valuing education and called for greater efforts to break the cycle of poverty and teenage pregnancy. He emphasized that Basoga have always prioritized quality education, citing the Kingdom’s legacy in founding institutions like Wanyange Girls and Kiira College Butiki in the 1950s and 60s—schools that remain among Uganda’s best. Through SHARE, Right To Play and consortium partners Forum For African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Uganda Chapter, WaterAid Uganda, and FHI 360 work in 65 schools and 23 health centres in Busoga, supporting them to provide adolescent-friendly SRHR services, mentorship programs, and teacher training. This multi-sectoral approach has contributed to a drop in the teenage pregnancy rate from 28% to 25%, yet more needs to be done. "If you do not have conversations around SRHR topics with your children, the world will teach them what you do not want them to learn. It is time we as Ugandan parents take the lead in these discussions," urged Annah Muhawenimana, Senior Health Officer, Right To Play Uganda. Dr. Joyce Abaliwano, Busoga Kingdom Minister of State for Gender, highlighted that cultural norms in the different ethnic communities around Lake Kyoga continue to promote early marriages, where 13-year-old girls are considered women. She called for targeted interventions to challenge these harmful beliefs and empower families. The meeting concluded with a brainstorming session, where Right To Play and Busoga Kingdom officials explored opportunities for sustained collaboration to further reduce teenage pregnancy and support adolescent well-being. Together, we can break the cycle, keep children in school, and create a future where every adolescent in Busoga thrives. #SHAREUganda #TeenagePregnancy #SRHR #GenderEquality #BusogaKingdom #AdolescentHealth

"Play does not mean running and jumping around in class. It means making lessons active and learner-centered, so students can enjoy them. The play is not separate from what you are trying to teach," Dela, Right To Play-trained teacher.

How has play impacted your life or the lives of children you know?

🎉 Celebrating 25 Years of Right To Play: A Legacy of Hope, Resilience, and the Power of Play! 🎉   It all started with a long-sleeved T-shirt. �⚽  After several Olympic gold feats, decorated medallist Johan Koss visited Eritrea and witnessed children turning a rolled-up shirt into a ball, playing amidst the rubble of war. In that moment, he realized something profound: Play is not a luxury—it is a lifeline.   In 2001, Right To Play brought this vision to Uganda, empowering children to rise above adversity through the transformative power of play. For over two decades, we have worked tirelessly to protect, educate, and empower vulnerable children, helping them unlock their potential and build brighter futures.    This year, as Right To Play celebrates 25 years, we honour the resilience of children everywhere and the incredible impact of play. From a simple T-shirt to a global movement, we have seen how play can change lives, one game at a time.    Join us as we continue to champion every child’s #RightToPlay. Together, we can create a world where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive—no matter the challenges they face.  Learn more about our mission and how you can support children’s right to play by visiting: https://lnkd.in/deDcNwit   #RightToPlay25 #PowerOfPlay #ChildrensRights #Uganda #PlayChangesLives