Stories

MAKING HISTORY: DZIDZORNU’S STORY

Dzidzornu made history this year by becoming her school's first female head prefect. In Ghana, head prefects play an important role in the school; they represent the student body with school management, and they act as a leader for their fellow students. Head prefects are almost always boys. But 18-year-old Dzidzornu defied the odds by running for the position and winning!

How Seenaa & Sabboontu are Destigmatizing Menstruation

Many girls like Seenaa and Sabboontu are forced to miss school during their periods because of stigma associated with menstruation and a lack of access to the products they need. Seenaa and Sabboontu joined a Girls’ Club at their school in Ethiopia where they sew reusable menstrual pads and talk openly about reproductive health with other girls and boys.

Helping Children Cope After the Flood: Mehboob's Story

In September 2022, more than 33 million people were affected by floods in Pakistan. More than 1,700 people lost their lives, including more than 400 children. Mehboob, a 22-year-old Right To Play-trained coach, reflects on his experiences as a volunteer and his role in bringing back lost smiles on the faces of children affected by the floods.

How Peter Went Back to Learning

Peter couldn’t afford a school that could accommodate his disabilities. That meant he wasn’t going to school at all. Thanks to the help of the Right To Play-trained school inclusion committee, Peter is back in class, learning and playing with his peers.

Building Her Vision for the Future: Aisha's Story

More than 60,000 children live on the streets of Accra, Ghana’s capital, and are not in school. Aisha dreams of being a journalist to speak against child labour and homelessness and to draw the government's attention to these issues.

8-Year-Old Comes Out of Her Shell Through PLAY program

Rose, 8, is from a close-knit community in northwestern Ontario with a beautiful beach on Lake Huron. In December 2022, Rose participated in a three-day MLSE and Right To Play hockey clinic hosted by her community, where she was brave, caring and confident. “I had trouble breaking [on the ice] before the clinic, and now I can do it well!” Rose explains.

Building Leadership Skills Through Hockey: Stephanie's Story

Resisting early marriage: How Felda returned to school and became a leader

Mozambique has one of the highest rates of child marriage globally. Almost 48% of girls will get married before they turn 18 years old. Many of these girls drop out of school and never go back. But, with the support of a Right To Play-organized Girls' Club, Felda was able to come back to school after an early marriage and become a leader.