Pakistan: Afghan refugees

Afghan women see change on the horizon

'Being a coach gives me energy; opens my mind. After the introduction of Red Ball Child Play, the kids do not fight, they play warm and friendly. This lets us all win.' says a Right To Play-trained teacher in a school for Afghan refugees. Right To Play programmes reach over 13,000 Afghan refugees in Pakistan in various camps around Peshawar and Quetta. Coaches and teachers trained by Right To Play organise ongoing sport and play activities that teach leadership, communication and conflict resolution skills to Afghan refugee children and young people.

Teachers and schools implementing Right To Play programmes have seen a remarkable change in children's attendance, behaviour and willingness to learn. As one teacher phrased it "since the sessions started, their minds and attitudes have changed. Now, children are happily coming regularly to school; they are well organized in their classrooms as well as at their homes, and they are not quarrelling with each other. They are confident and not feeling shy to ask questions from teachers -- friendship and communication has improved. Enrolment has increased and children of other schools want to be admitted in school with Right To Play programs.''

Feedback from Afghan mothers has proved no less positive, as Gro Eide from Right To Play's Norwegian Office recently experienced. At a meeting organised to bring parents of children participating in Right To Play learning programmes together, Gro witnessed nothing but glowing endorsements of Right To Play's work:

"Because of sport programs, my daughter is eager to go regularly to school. And they concentrate on their studies because they want to learn. Studying and sport makes the kids innovative. The kids do not learn much only from the books. They learn by practise. I eat half of my bread so they have enough food to go to school and play. I brought my kids from another school to this one because of the Right To Play programs. When the kids are coming home they wash their hands, clean their teeth, and brush their hair. They are freely doing these things and they teach their family about them. Sport and play gives my children confidence. My daughter takes the lead of all her siblings and organizes sport and play games. These meetings with parents are where we share our views together; it develops us as parents too".

The programmes have also had a positive impact on attitudes of women and girls, and of the wider community's perspective towards them. There are currently more female coaches than male and their commitment and enthusiasm is an inspiration to everyone they meet.

"Our children are so happy. They feel freedom when they can play. They have a lot of energy and transfer a lot of joy and happiness to their families and the community. We love being coaches for the children because we know how well sportworks. We love our country and we want to help. The kids' minds are full of war. Right To Play programs change their minds and behaviours. Now, they take care of themselves and each other. Now, they are here for life, not for war"
Female Coach working with Afghan Refugees in Pakistan.