Stories

Preparing Youth for Adulthood

Standing Up for What She Believes In: Adele’s Story

Life is hard for girls in rural northern Tanzania. Many girls are forced to undergo female genital mutilation and marry young. Adele enrolled in a Right To Play child rights club at her school and uses the knowledge and confidence she gained there to help girls resist the dangerous practices.

Standing Strong: Claire’s Story

Claire was sexually assaulted, became pregnant, and out of fear of teachers and classmates, dropped out of school. Over time, she was able to reclaim her agency, return to school and wants to become a teacher.

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.

Finding Hope for the Future: Martha's Story

When schools were closed due to COVID-19, Martha's family couldn't afford at-home tutors, and she was under pressure to end her education and find work in Accra. That's when Alhassan intervened.

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.

Connecting with Culture Builds Confidence: Samantha's Story

Eleven-year-old Samantha expresses deep pride in practicing her Ojibway way of life, which she has had the opportunity to learn more about at the PLAY program.