Playtime for children and young people is imperative for their cognitive, social and physical growth and development. Through play, children learn about the world around them and the skills they need for creating relationships, studying in school and even eventually entering the workplace. Irrespective of where a child resides in the world, they all grow up with a sense of curiosity and eagerness to explore and learn about the world around them. It is through play that children move from dependence to competence, autonomy and resilience.
On a cognitive level, play improves a child’s capacity to reason, retain memories and understand the effects of their actions. This type of self-learning creates the foundations that support academic success. Play through physical activity is critical for developing motor skills, coordination and staying physically and mentally healthy. Socially, children have the opportunity to learn how to cooperate, compromise, negotiate, understand and navigate social situations. These skills are all needed to develop a sense of identity and self-confidence.
Following a disaster or crisis, it is critical for children to have the opportunity to play as it provides a sense of normalcy and time to heal. This brief encounter of respite allows children to deal with the stress of the home they may have lost, loved ones they may not see again and a routine that may not get back to normal for quite some time.
Khelo and AH&H
This is why All Hands & Hearts (AH&H) has partnered with Khelo-Play, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring access to quality playgrounds at schools impacted by disasters around the world. Together, we have provided four playgrounds across schools in Nepal, the Philippines and Mexico, positively impacting more than 500 students. These playgrounds have established a fun and safe place for the students to play while encouraging them to attend school, stay enrolled and help to break cycles of poverty.
“When we learned about the incredible hands-on work AH&H was doing to heal communities affected by disasters, we reached out to explore how Khelo could support their efforts. AH&H immediately recognized the vital roles exercise and play have in a child’s wellness and development, as well as the potential for alignment between our organizations.
Within days, we joined their initiative to build a playground as part of AH&H’s reconstruction of the Celso Muñoz School in Mexico. Collaborating with AH&H has been truly uplifting, cutting through bureaucracy to achieve meaningful results in a cost-effective and efficient way.”
“We are thrilled to partner with AH&H and are confident in our shared mission to heal global communities, one school and one playground at a time.”
Khelo-Play
How We Specialize Our Playgrounds
When designing a playground, AH&H collaborates with skilled volunteers – many of which can be artists, engineers, architects, teachers and other creative professionals – guided by our Program Managers and Community Coordinators. Together, they engage with the school community to understand what students envision for their playground. This type of engagement provides the students with creative freedom to design their “dream playground”, which we can then incorporate specific aspects into the actual design. It is not only a fun activity for the students but a great way for them to feel more connected and proud of their school.
Students using their creative minds to design their own playground in San Bartolo, Mexico.
A New Playground in the Philippines
Mahayag Elementary School, located in Saint Bernard, a municipality in Southern Leyte, Philippines, was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Rai in December of 2021. With minimal support from other agencies, AH&H recognized the urgent need to step in. Without intervention, the school faced the prospect of years in unsafe, “temporary” learning facilities, leaving students vulnerable to future hazards and disruptions.
From April to October 2024, AH&H constructed four disaster-resilient classrooms for 82 students ranging from kindergarten through Grade 6. We also installed Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) facilities including a biosand filtration system to provide clean drinking water. With generous support from Khelo, we were able to design and build Mahayag’s first-ever playground!
The students of the Saint Bernard community now have a vibrant, fun and safe place to play during their break times and outside of school hours. The playground features monkey bars, a climbing frame, seesaws, swings and a slide. While these may seem like standard features, no two playgrounds across AH&H schools are the same! Due to logistics, availability of resources and the needs from the school community, we always deliver unique and bespoke playgrounds.
“We can finally play outside and have fun. It is very beautiful, magnificent, lovely and full of fun. To those who made it, thank you for all your hard work.”
– Myvette, student
Students at Mahayag Elementary School enjoying their brand new playground in Southern Leyte, Philippines.
Play is a fundamental part of childhood and a human right for all children. Following times of disaster, opportunities for play have a significant role in helping children recover a sense of freedom and normalcy. Spaces for children to play are necessary for supporting a healthy lifestyle physically and mentally, especially after experiencing loss, dislocation and trauma. With our friends at Khelo, AH&H can continue providing these amazing spaces for students, not only now, but for the generations who will follow.
