Right to Play

Program: Enhancing the Development of Children in

Ethiopia through Sport and Play

Using interactive play to teach children about empowerment and

leadership: Right to Play is applying an innovative approach called
“Reflect, Connect, Apply” to teach underprivileged school aged
children in three sub-cities of Addis Ababa about life skills and lessons
related to hygiene, HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention,
teamwork, and child protection. The program recruits volunteer
coaches in the community and trains them on how to deliver interactive sports and games as a
teaching tool. Popular childhood games such as “Three Legged Race” are adapted to incorporate
lessons on key topics that these children otherwise do not have access to learning about. Over
200 coaches have been trained to reach a total of 10,000 children in 25 local schools. In addition
to being a fun, positive way for kids to interact with each other outside of school hours, the
program builds capacity of coaches to have a positive impact on their communities – helping the
next generation to develop important leadership skills and a sense of empowerment. Right to
Play’s core values of inclusion and sustainable impact are at the root of the program’s design.

Brahane Hilina Elementary is one of the schools

reached by the program. Upon arrival to the
schoolyard, located in Gullele Sub-city, a group of
thirty children are engaged in a bi-weekly play
session. Moges Makonnen leads the 45 minute
session. Moges actually started of as one of the
children in the program three years ago and then
became a junior coach. Today, he trains other
people how to be coaches; this shows the
sustainable impact that Right to Play is achieving
with this approach, without any direct cash
transfers. Incentives of training and in kind
resources are what draw volunteers to be a part of
the program – but it is seeing the positive results
on the lives of children that keep them involved.
Figure 1: Children and coaches at Brahane Hilina Elementary

Landuber Ayele, Country Director of Right to Play in

Ethiopia explains his view on why the program is so
important for children in Ethiopia especially “It’s very
relevant in terms of building confidence. Our culture
doesn’t encourage this. The program allows children
to find their voice and speak out – they learn skills
such as cooperation, leadership, and inclusion.”

When asked about the benefits and learning provided

by the program, Rakeb, a nine year old girl replies,
“When ever we were asked a question in class, I was
afraid…Now I am confident to answer. We learn about
helping family and friends, respect for others, and
trust.” Other children expressed that they are
teaching people in their family and community about
the skills they learn in these sessions. Figure 2: Addis (7), Rakeb (9), and Fasika (8)

In a country where children are often robbed of their youth due to the effects of extreme poverty,
Right to Play is inspiring children to lead, teach, and find their voice while having fun!
Right to Play’s Program in Action at Brahane Hilina Elementary School

Figure 3: “Warm Up”

Figure 4: “Three Legged Race”

Figure 5: “Barking Dog Game”