Goto main content

Growing Together: The importance of play in refugee camps

Inclusion Prevention Rights
Bangladesh Pakistan Thailand

With support from the IKEA Foundation, Handicap International is enabling 13,000 children in refugee camps in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Thailand to learn and develop through play in a safe environment. The organisation is training parents and community volunteers to stimulate children from infancy.

Training parents on child stimulation in Mae La refugee camp, Thailand.

Training parents on child stimulation in Mae La refugee camp, Thailand. | © Handicap International

As part of the Growing Together project backed by the IKEA Foundation, Handicap International promotes early detection, stimulation, and rehabilitation sessions for children, to prevent the onset of disabilities and improve their living conditions in the long run.

The organisation trains parents, care givers and community volunteers to stimulate young children through play and daily activities.

Bangladesh

Handicap international has carried out community mapping in refugee camps, including Nayapara camp in Bangladesh. The organisation asked 25 community members[1] to identify the most vulnerable people, children with disabilities, parents, and children, to take part in activities run by the Growing Together project (parent/child committees, fun activities, rehabilitation sessions, and so on). 

Growing Together training in Bangladesh. © Handicap International

Growing Together training in Bangladesh. © Handicap International

The organisation has also done community mapping in Balukhali village, with the involvement and support of community members.

Growing Together community mapping in village Bangladesh. © Handicap International

Growing Together community mapping in Bangladesh. © Handicap International

Thailand

Handicap International trained more than forty community volunteers in three refugee camps on the border with Myanmar.

The volunteers learnt to provide care for children (hygiene), to feed them, and to stimulate and encourage them to play from infancy. Seventeen volunteers also received training in children’s rights and their protection, risk recognition, and the referral of child victims of violence to organisations offering appropriate services. 

Growing Together training in Mae La refugees camp. © Handicap International

Growing Together training in Mae La refugee camp, Thailand. © Handicap International

Pakistan 

In refugee camps[1], including Peshawar camp in Pakistan, Handicap International trains fathers on the importance of play and stimulation in the development of their children. They also learn how to stimulate children from infancy:

“A stressed child, or a child who grows up in fear, cannot learn and develop. His or her psychological and emotional well-being are of the utmost importance, notably through interaction with his or her family and by playing regularly at home,” explains Alexey Kruk, regional coordinator of the Growing Together project.

Growing Together training in Pakisatn. © Handicap International

Growing Together training in Pakistan. © Handicap International

Handicap International also organised training for mothers in Peshawar refugee camp to explain the importance of play for children and to teach them infant stimulation techniques.

Growing Together - Training mothers. © Handicap International

Growing Together - Training mothers. © Handicap International


[1] In Pakistan, Bangladesh and Thailand.

Date published: 19/07/17

COUNTRIES

Where we work

Read more

Nepal and climate change: the challenges faced by people with disabilities
© HI
Health Prevention

Nepal and climate change: the challenges faced by people with disabilities

In 2023, HI published a report highlighting the impact of climate change on people with disabilities in Nepal, one of the countries most exposed to the consequences of this phenomenon.

COP 28: Raising awareness of disability at the Climate Conference
© K. Tolentino / HI
Prevention

COP 28: Raising awareness of disability at the Climate Conference

COP 28 opened in Dubai on November 30th. HI will be bringing strong messages in support of the communities and individuals most impacted by climate change, including people with disabilities.

How climate change affects people with disabilities
© Parany.photo / HI
Prevention

How climate change affects people with disabilities

Climate change exacerbates discrimination and affects the daily lives of people with disabilities in particular.

FOLLOW US