The Healing Power of Play

In the drought-stricken village of Midhaga Tola in East Hararghe, ten-year-old Hamdi once felt invisible. Life, as he remembers, has always been tough; his parents worked tirelessly to care for their seven children despite the dry fields and empty wells. But for Hamdi, who lived with a disability, the struggle went deeper than hunger or hardship. At school, he often sat on the sidelines, watching his classmates run and play. Teachers and friends assumed he could not join in. 

“I used to sit and just watch,” Hamdi recalled. “Even my teacher told me to sit out instead of encouraging me.” 

Those moments slowly dimmed his confidence. The laughter of friends turned into a reminder of what he thought he could not do. Hamdi began to withdraw from school, from play, from joy itself. 

A new beginning 

Change came gradually, through a new initiative that reached his school, the Ethiopia Joint Response project, led by SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia with support from the Dutch Relief Alliance. Among its many activities, one stood out for Hamdi: Team Up, a movement-based activity designed to help children express themselves, heal from trauma, and reconnect with others through play. 

At first, Hamdi hesitated. He had grown used to sitting out. But this time, the facilitators encouraged him gently, telling him it did not matter how fast he moved, only that he joined in. With each session, something inside Hamdi began to shift. The games were not about who could run the fastest, but who could laugh loudest, who could try, and who could trust. 

“With Team Up, I began to smile again,” Hamdi said, his eyes bright. 

Rediscovering confidence and hope 

As the sessions continued, Hamdi’s confidence flourished. He began helping other children join the games and encouraged those who were once shy, just like him. His teachers noticed the change immediately; he was participating more in class, engaging with friends, and showing new energy for learning. Recognizing the family’s struggles, the project also provided Hamdi with essential school materials, allowing him to attend class regularly and continue building his future. 

“Hamdi’s courage inspired us to see every child’s potential,” one teacher shared. 

Today, school has become Hamdi’s safe space, a place where he feels included, valued, and proud. Though his family still faces challenges, Hamdi’s resilience shines as a symbol of what inclusion and compassion can achieve. His story reminds us that when children are given the chance to participate, to play, to learn, and to belong, they don’t just survive; they thrive. 

About the project 

The Ethiopia Joint Response project supports families affected by drought, conflict, and harmful traditional practices. Through activities such as Team Up, food assistance, livelihoods support, and child protection services, the project has reached thousands of families, including 615 children across 18 schools through child-focused activities that help them heal, build resilience, and dream again. 

*To respect the person's privacy, their real name has not been used.