Stories

• WORKING TOGETHER: SARATA’S STORY

  55% of school-age children in Mali are involved in some form of work. Sarata was one of them, working in the mines after the death of her father pushed her family into poverty. Now she is back in school and wants to become a doctor.

• Free to Be Himself: Taha’s Story

  Taha is a Palestinian refugee who grew up with a mobility impairment. He felt helpless and struggled to leave his home in Gaza, but thanks to a psychosocial support program for children with disabilities, he developed the confidence and independence to face the world.

• Overcoming displacement and claiming her right to education: Zainab’s story

  Since 2015, more than 400,000 refugees have fled civil unrest in Burundi for camps in Tanzania. 17-year-old Zainab joined the Gender Equality Club in her camp, part of an initiative by the “My Education, My Future” program.

• Brighter than Gold: Balla’s Story

  Balla, 12, worked in Mali's most dangerous gold mines. Today, she is back in class, excelling in mathematics and French, and wants to go to medical school. This is her journey.

• Standing Strong: Kyaw’s Story

  In the Mae La camp for displaced people in Thailand, there is a lack of trust in the police. In a place where alcohol abuse, domestic violence and crime are common, that makes community mediators crucial for resolving conflict. This is the story of how Kyaw turned his life around and became a valuable community leader.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Believing In Themselves: Bertha and Bilkis’ Stories

  How two young women in Ghana overcame gender stereotypes and stigma to become outspoken leaders for girls in their community.

• 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.

• Soaring high in the air: Fatima’s story

  Fatima's is the story of a bold young woman who refused to let others limit her dreams.

• "I Have a Big Vision": Gilbert's Story

  Gilbert has big plans: he wants to be a civil engineer designing affordable and accessible housing for people with disabilities, people whose lives have been shaped by the legacy of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, just as his own family's lives have been.

• 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.

• New Generation, New Hope

  Obaansi is just 18 years old, and the first member of her family to go to high school, but she’s already changing the lives of children in her hometown.

• Life played out on the pitch

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

• 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.