Did you know (because I didn't) that there are more than 20.8 million refugees worldwide, and that more than 9 million among them are children? Refugees are legally defined as people who are "outside their countries because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group".
6.6 million are called Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are uprooted civilians who have stayed within their countries. Recently the figure for IDPs has risen. 2.4 million people are stateless. 1.7 million have returned home but still need help. 775,566 are asylum seekers who have fled their own country for fear of persecution and are applying to be recognized as refugees. 80, 800 are resettllement cases.
And 29% are in legal limbo without clear status.
Right to Play is an athlete-driven, international humanitarian organization that has started up in order to promote play and learning among disadvantaged children who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Right to play programs are currently implemented in 23 developing countries around the world. Ronaldo, one of the world's top players, has become a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme.
The love of play is universal.
All you need is a ball.
A ball designed for refugee camp conditions.
A ball as an icon for the potential of refugee kids.
A ball can change the world.
Help them play, let them learn.
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