The PlayHub is an organization in Rwanda that is leveraging local materials, tools and skills to develop and support the building of stimulating play spaces for kids to unleash their potential.
Founder and Mission:
- Founder: Julian Ingabire Kayibanda, a development professional and Early Childhood Development advocate.
- Core Belief: The PlayHub is driven by the belief in the power of play to unleash children's potential and its positive effects on the brain.
- Problem Addressed: The significant lack of access to quality, safe, and inclusive play spaces and environments for children in Rwanda.
Key Activities and Impact:
- Creating Play Spaces: They leverage local materials, skills, and resources to develop low-cost, inclusive playgrounds and environments.
- Since 2018, they have supported the development of more than 8 playgrounds, including the largest one in the Mahama Burundian refugee camp, which serves over 20,000 children.
- They have also developed a public model play space in the city of Kigali.
- Training and Capacity Building: They train educators, teachers, parents, and communities on the importance and use of play to ensure learning among children. They have trained approximately 250 teachers.
- Advocacy: They advocate for increased access to stimulating and nurturing environments, aiming to embed the concept of child-friendliness into urban planning and policy.
- Future Plans (as of recent reports): They are planning to set up a playground workshop Hub to continue training teachers and local technicians, positioning themselves as a play hub for Rwanda and the region.
In essence, The PlayHub is a community-focused innovation that works at the intersection of early childhood development, urban policy, and community resourcefulness to make play a reality for more children in Rwanda.
