There is worldwide consensus on the importance of play for children. Playful behavior has very powerful and positive effects on the brain. Despite the evidence, in Rwanda there is a significant absence and lack and of access to play. The organization is commited to increasing access to inclusive, Safe, responsive, and nurturing environments integral to supporting child development.
The Playhub leverages local resources and skills to develop inclusive low cost playgrounds and environments, train teachers, parents and communities around use of play to ensure learning among chilren as well as advocate for increased access to stimualative and nutrturing environments.
The PlayHub has been implemeting play projects since 2018 . The project has supported the development of more than 8 playgrounds including the largest in Mahama Burundian refugee camp hosting over 20000 children and one public model playspace in the city of Kigali, trained 250 teachers in the use of play for child development as well as hosting 3 play workshops to raise awareness around the benefits of play. With the award of a USADF grant, The PlayHub will be setting up a playground workshop Hub where; teachers and local technicians will continue to be trained and position itself as the playhub in Rwanda and the region. We have also partnered with strategic education organizations and the media to increase access to evidence based advocacy efforts as well as co-founding a play Network
Understand the importance of play for child development, identify space in your community, research local materials to exploit for play, identify partners to support the development of play environments, adopt play designs to the context, train caregivers/parents, monitor use and safety, host play events, ensure its inclusive (girls, disabilities etc), engage children in design and creativity.