ClubLFC Foundation and Right To Play launch life-changing project for children in Ethiopia
LFC Foundation and global charity Right To Play have launched a new project to transform children's lives in Ethiopia, as part of the long-term partnership between the two organisations.
The three-year project will improve reading skills and mental well-being among vulnerable children in Debre Birhan, in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.
The project will support 9,500 children, including those living with disabilities and children who have been displaced by conflict.
More than 200 teachers will receive training in play-based, child-centred teaching, delivering psychosocial support to children affected by trauma and creating safe, inclusive learning environments.
Hundreds of community members will also be engaged, including through training in addressing barriers to education for girls and vulnerable children.
Conflict and climate shocks in Ethiopia have had a devastating impact on education services in recent years, resulting in the destruction of school infrastructure and millions of children being out of school – with the region of Amhara the most affected.
The city of Debre Birhan now hosts large numbers of internally displaced families, and children in the region urgently need access to quality education, as well as psychosocial support to protect their emotional well-being and be ready to learn.
Matt Parish, CEO at LFC Foundation, said: "The need in Ethiopia is urgent and undeniable. The ongoing conflict has created disruptions to vital services whereby children are unable to access a quality education.
"By partnering with Right To Play, we will be creating a safe environment where we will use the power of sport and play to develop essential skills and build confidence and resilience that will help to unlock young people's potential to enable them to aspire and achieve."
Gillian McMahon, executive director at Right To Play UK, said: "We are incredibly proud to be working with our long-term partners, LFC Foundation, to deliver this vital project in Ethiopia. Together, we will be creating safe, inclusive spaces where vulnerable children can learn, heal and thrive.
"Through play, we are ensuring that children can receive the quality education they need and that children affected by conflict and crisis are protected and supported. The project reflects our shared values and determination to ensure that children, regardless of where they live, can enjoy a better future through the power of play."
LFC Foundation and Right To Play have been working in partnership since 2019, delivering transformative projects to thousands of children across Thailand, Senegal and Tanzania.
In Tanzania, our partnership has helped support tens of thousands of children, reducing barriers to education for girls and improving academic performance in the Serengeti and Tarime regions, while in Senegal our partnership has contributed to helping vulnerable girls and young women build life skills and challenge gender norms through sport and play.
Over in Thailand, we have renovated community play spaces and provided sport and play sessions for thousands of children and young people, empowering them with crucial life skills such as leadership, self-confidence, communication and resilience.
Right To Play has been working in Ethiopia since 2005, using play as a tool for learning and healing, and reaching children in both humanitarian and development contexts. In 2024, the charity reached more than 165,000 children across the country.
The project will run from June 2025 and will be delivered in collaboration with local government, community leaders and key education stakeholders, ensuring long-term sustainability and alignment with Ethiopia's national education priorities.