After the 2013 outbreak of civil war in South Sudan, the Salesians of Don Bosco established a resettlement camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Gumbo, eight kilometres from the capital, Juba. Internal conflicts and violence in the region have continued over the years and the camp is now home to almost 10,000 people, including 4,500 children and young people. 

Life in the camp can be stressful and difficult for its youngest residents, many of whom live with the effects of trauma from their experiences fleeing violence. 

Play and recreation are essential to the health and well-being of all children and promote the development of creativity, imagination, self-confidence, as well as physical, social, cognitive and emotional skills. In an effort to uphold the UN-ratified right of every child to engage in age-appropriate play and recreational activities*, the Salesians’ 2022 right-to-play project provided opportunities for recreation and games to more than 2,500 children who do not attend the camp’s primary schools due to lack of space. 

With support from the Misean Cara Innovation and Learning Fund, the project was based on a similar project implemented in the Salesians’ IDP camp in Palabek, Uganda. At Gumbo, the Salesians prepared a safe playground space in the camp community for children to play and interact without fear, and practice skills that promote their cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development. Psychological support and guidance are also provided to the children. 

By bringing children from different backgrounds together to play, the project facilitated mutual understanding, acceptance and the chance for friendships to grow. Other activities promoted awareness about gender equality, peace building and conflict resolution, hygiene and how to care for the environment. As many children in the camp do not have the opportunity to study at home, some of the games were designed to help improve basic skills in reading and maths. 

*According to Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (ratified by the government of South Sudan in 2015), “Every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts”.