Learn To Play’s Mindful Play approach in Dukwi Refugee Camp

Learn To Play’s model emphasises community buy-in and participation, tailored to meet cultural and contextual needs to foster ownership and sustainability. Our approach recognises that impactful early education occurs within homes and communities where caregivers play a pivotal role. This has been especially evident in our work at the Dukwi Refugee Camp in Botswana, where we collaborate closely with UNHCR, the Botswana government, and the refugee parent community. In Dukwi, we engage various leadership groups within the camp, including national heads from different countries, the refugee women's group, and other community organisations. Our efforts have been particularly successful through the implementation of our Parent Playbox and the pioneering of our Mindful Play programme.

Parent Playbox: Building Love and Resilience

The Parent Playbox has been implemented twice in Dukwi, receiving incredible feedback and impact. A Congolese father explained that despite the trauma, violence, and challenges faced, "The Parent Playbox helps to develop love amongst parents and children. And also among other parents in our neighborhood who are seeing that while we are playing with our children, we are developing love together amongst parents and children". This programme provides a 52-week early learning solution that equips caregivers with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to interact purposefully with their children through playful parenting activities. The outcomes include strengthened family relationships, positive learning experiences, and overall wellbeing.

Mindful Play: Emotional Resilience and Social-Emotional Learning

Our Mindful Play curriculum, pioneered in Dukwi, supports families in building emotional resilience, fostering positive and healthy relationships, and enhancing social-emotional learning. The programme integrates mindfulness practices such as deep breathing, positive affirmations, gratitude reflections, sensory awareness, and intentional focus within playful activities. This approach helps children and families develop crucial skills such as self-regulation, empathy, and resilience, and promotes healthy, loving relationships.

Community-Centered Implementation

In Dukwi, we work alongside the Botswana government and various camp committees to establish playgroups facilitated by trained refugee mothers from the various natioalities represented in the camp. These mothers, nominated by community leaders, are equipped with the skills and resources to create stimulating, play-based environments that foster holistic child development. They also receive stipends, lifting them above the poverty line. The strong governance and support structures within Botswana's communities, including in the refugee camp, are integral to our community model. These stakeholders not only nominate the women who run playgroups but also provide suitable venues, contribute resources, and act as advocates for early childhood education.

Expanding Our Impact

We have replicated this model in communities across the country and are committed to packaging this approach into training, open-source resources, and programs that organizations across the continent can utilise. This will provide an opportunity for organisations to deepen their impact in social and emotional wellbeing and caregiver capacity to engage in early learning with children. By working closely with communities and leveraging local structures and leadership, we aim to create sustainable, impactful early learning experiences in humanitarian settings like Dukwi Refugee Camp.