about us

Right To Play - At A Glance 

WHY IS PLAY SO IMPORTANT?
The UN recognizes play as the right of every child. Play is not a luxury; it is a tool for education and health. It can bring entire communities together and inspire every individual. A game of football can teach children about tolerance and peace, a game of tag can teach about malaria. Play helps teach important life lessons and develop skills like co-operation, leadership and teamwork. Play provides a retreat from everyday hardships and brings joy and laughter, allowing kids to be kids.

WHAT IS RIGHT TO PLAY?
Right To Play is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. It was founded in 2000 by Johann Olav Koss, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur. Through sports and games, we help children build essential life skills and better futures, while driving social change in their communities with lasting impact.

WHAT DO WE DO? WE EDUCATE.
We Help Children Learn. We improve academic performance by using games as a tool for education, fostering physical, cognitive and social development.

We Promote Health by encouraging physical fitness, mobilizing communities around national health issues, and educating about disease prevention priorities including HIV/AIDS, malaria and immunization.

We Build Peace by teaching conflict resolution and peace building skills, while helping heal children and communities affected by war.

We Develop Communities by engaging local staff and volunteers and partnering with local organizations to build infrastructure.

WHO HAVE WE REACHED?
Each year, we reach close to 835,000 children in regular weekly activities. Almost 50% of those children and our Coaches are female. By the end of 2012, we have a goal of reaching one million children on a weekly basis.

Right To Play is in more than 20 countries including Benin, Burundi, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories (West Bank and Gaza), Peru, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand and Uganda, along with three pilot programs in Canada, Norway and the United States. 

HOW DO WE DO IT?
Our activities are facilitated by nearly 12,000 volunteer Coaches. These local leaders and teachers are trained in our specially designed programming, then implement the programs based on the needs of their communities. We also encourage leadership at all ages by providing youth with unique opportunities. Junior Leaders, some as young as eight years old, become empowered through participating in Right To Play programs.

ARE WE MAKING A DIFFERENCE?
Yes, we are empowering and educating tomorrow’s leaders. Our programs continue to produce results. We see improved academic performance, increased participation and attendance in schools, reduction in violence, increased awareness and steps taken to prevent disease. By working with children and their communities, we are contributing to sustainable change.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Donate now and help bring the gift of play.