context: Today the right to play “is denied to millions of children whose lives are enmeshed in conflict, lost in exploitation, or stolen from them by preventable diseases”*. Right To Play tries to change this by bringing sport and play to more and more children. According to the NGO, well-designed sport and play programs put kids on a positive path to healthy development. In addition to the many physical benefits, sport and play programs serve as tools to teach important values and life skills including self-confidence, teamwork, communication, inclusion, discipline, respect and fair play.

who: Right To Play is a humanitarian, non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to improving the lives of the most disadvantaged children and their communities - refugee populations, former child combatants, and HIV/AIDS orphans- through sport and play programs.

what: The Red Ball is Right to Play’s symbol and the gift it provides children with wherever it starts a program. Manufactured in Pakistan by an ILO approved facility, thousands of the Red Balls go into the fields, classrooms, communities and refugee camps every year. Written in different languages on the Red Ball is Right to Play’s philosophy: ‘Look After Yourself, Look After One Another’. A message that reinforces that through sports we learn to take care of our bodies and the importance of teamwork and cooperation.

$10: provides balls to children in refugee camps.

$50: provides sports equipment for regular sport and play activities through schools and community groups.

*Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF, reported in UNICEF press release “UNICEF Says Children Deserve a Sporting Chance”, 19 November 2002.