Scientific research done over the past three decades showed that the most important period of human development is from birth to 8 years old.

A UNICEF brief on learning through play indicates that during these years, the development of cognitive skills, emotional well-being, social competence and sound physical and mental health builds a strong foundation for success well into the adult years.

It is for this reason that Kina Rwanda, a local organisation aimed at promoting learning through play, brought together 20 organisations on March 18, to discuss ways of strengthening and expanding Rwanda’s play movement.

The idea is to encourage the organisations, which are mainly in the civil society space, to work together and leverage each other’s expertise to create more reach and impact in the promotion of Learning through Play (LtP).

The co-creation workshop, which was organised by Purpose co-led by Kina Rwanda, UNICEF, VSO and VVOB looked at potential ways through which they can take the lead in building a play movement that can ensure that Rwandan children explore their full potential.

The meeting brought together organisations operating in Rwanda which directly work with local communities including Purpose, VSO, UNICEF, VVOB, Right to Play, Twiga Dukina, ZoraBots Africa Ltd, IEE, Imbuto Foundation, Girl Guides, Umuri Foundation, Wellspring Foundation and Save the Children Rwanda. 

Others include A partner in Education (APIE), PCCR, The Play Hub, Teach Rwanda, Agati Library, Amashami Initiative, LEGO Foundation and the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), among others.

The organisations met and brainstormed tangible ways in which they can work together with the aim to create common messaging, narratives and channels to reach their shared goal of promoting learning through play.

Joining forces

By sharing knowledge, experience and learnings through this coalition, the partners are aiming to find more meaningful ways to engage all targeted audiences.

According to Malik Shaffy Lizinde, the Country Representative of Purpose that co-hosted the workshop, driving the right to play requires a joint effort as there is still a lot of ground to cover.

"We are aware that today there is a good number of organisations working in the promotion of learning through play. However, we cannot have a macroscale impact working in isolation,”

"There is so much incredible work we can do together, and this co-creation workshop was about cementing partnerships to make this a reality,” Lizinde said.

In a country where parents or guardians still punish children for playing or consider playing time wasting, there is a need for more deliberate efforts aimed at changing mind-sets and demystifying stereotypes around play.

Lieve Leroy, who represented VVOB, said that there are so many activities going on from different partners, which is why there is a need to work in partnership with a unified voice to create a deeper impact.

In the wake of Covid-19, research showed that due to various reasons, parents or guardians dedicated less time to play, as Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns put a limit on outdoor activities.

Participants of the workshop reiterated the importance of promoting learning through play, pointing out that the initiative couldn’t have been timelier.

"By bringing together different partner organisations, this co-creation allowed us to craft common messages, which will make our work even more cohesive,” said Alphonse Nshimiyimana, who represented Inspire, Educate and Empower (IEE), adding that the collaboration is a good starting point.

By the end of the half-day workshop, partners had shared their priorities which will be turned into a shared agenda with clear actions for the next 12 months to be implemented by partners across the Learning through Play ecosystem.

The partner organisations brainstormed ideas as a starting point to having clear, unified messaging that will collectively deliver consistent messages to the Learning through Play audiences, to enhance maximising impact.

They also acknowledged that this co-creation has the potential to help create perpetual impact.

Francois Bisengimana from Right to Play mentioned what this might mean for sustainability of the programmes.

"This co-creation will help us do joint advocacy, and have joint plans which will enhance that Learning through Play becomes a reality whether one organisation has ended their programmes or not,” said Bisengimana.

This co-creation is yet another activity in the growth of Rwanda’s play movement. Last year, Kina Rwanda trained media professionals on how to cover and feature content that promotes Learning through Play.

The organisation also promotes content through radio and TV shows, a radio drama, social media content, and community gatherings, all aimed at encouraging parents and guardians to allocate more time to play with their children.

Partner organisations agreed to drive the play movement in Rwanda.

Play which is participatory can be beneficial to children.

Representatives of organisations brainstormed on ways to boost learning through play.