In the rural areas of low-income countries in (East) Africa, children often do not get the chance to enjoy physical education. Although the governments make physical education compulsory, their policy is rarely translated into practice. Teachers are not educated in the didactic skills that are required to lead sports and play activities. The knowledge about the positive impact of physical activity on the development of students is often lacking, materials are too expensive and physical development is not considered a priority.
Meaningful education means more than success in math or reading. Join for Joy supports primary schools in setting up a structural, inclusive and fun Sports and Play program to support playful learning at school.
JOY inspires
Our driving force
In 2011, the year that Join for Joy was founded, one of the founders, Michiel Lowenberg, was diagnosed with Melanoma. Michiel’s playful character and boundless sense of humor has been a indispensable contribution to our team. Michiel considered it a privilege to have grown up with joy, love and support in his life and felt children all over the world should experience these values. His dedicated energy, razor sharp wit and happy go lucky nature made him an inspiration to work with.
In memoriam
The year 2012 was overshadowed by his loss. It is a privilege to have worked with Michiel. He will always remain a driving force within Join for Joy.
“I want to help children to develop their capacities, with the objective to let them participate actively in shaping their own future.”
Michiel LowenbergIn Memoriam
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‘Sport is a great way to contribute to the social development of children (and adults), anywhere in the world. By combining sports, games and fun, young people involved in join for joy add value to the lives of children in Kenya and Uganda’
Our Team
Ruth Mwinga
Sports and Play Coordinator Kenya
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‘I feel honored working with Join for joy as Sports & Play Coordinator. Play is the most pure product of man at this early stage. It is through play that children attain sensory awareness, creative expression, exploration of ideas and concepts, the pleasure of singing and the experience of living among others.’
Simon Kamau
Sports and Play Coordinator Kenya
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“”Every child was born with ability and potentially caperble to make right dessition from known to unknown either rich or poor. with my passion in games and sports, I have influenced and trained the teachers to change negative to positive attitude towards games and sports to children showing importance of wholistic growth, learning through play, making more children to be happy and sustainable in school and making learning environment beautifuly attractive and interactive in both teachers and pupils, leaving them highly motivated to come to school and working hard towards there achievable goal in life’”
Hilda Mbabazi
Sports and Play Coordinator Uganda
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‘All children have the same needs and the greatest of all to feel loved. I am happy I can offer the less privileged children to experience the joy in childhood through sports and play. I believe this will continue to motivate them to stay in school and remain focused on what they have set to achieve in life.’
Boniface Byamugisha
Sports and Play Coordinator Uganda
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‘I am a teacher by profession since I joined Join for Joy l have discovered a great impact of sports and play activities in schools on teacher pupil relationship. Sports and play activities allows pupils to interact with their teachers freely. Teaching through sports and play makes learning interesting and meaningful .Children enjoy sports activities given the opportunity to practice .l believe Join for Joy program will help children to keep motivated to stay in school and acquire various life skills.’
Javira Birungi
Sports and Play Coordinator Uganda
Sammy Thaimu
Sports and Play Coordinator Zambia
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‘One of my life’s philosophies is that I cannot pursue and achieve a dream all by myself without the help of other people. Whatever a dreamer needs is the right circle of people who will buy into their dream and support if it were their own. Hence, Join for Joy project is great for it contributes positive social change to young people in the community and transform their lives, and I am honoured to be part of it.’
Edgar Silwimba
Sports and Play Coordinator Zambia
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‘Development goes hand in hand with sports, the contribution of sports to the growth of our nation cannot be doubted. Physical education helps promote a healthy and active society. I am glad to be part of this great project and the Join for Joy family. It is my sincere hope that this project will definitely change the approach both teachers and pupils have towards physical education.’
James Phiri
Sports and Play Coordinator Malawi
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Every Child deserves an opportunity and access to sporting activities hence calls our coordinated efforts on focusing inclusiveness approaches in developing every child to reaching their perspective n goals.
Sports and Play Program constitutes an integral part in up bringing positive impact and fostering education and community development.
Sports and Play Program constitutes an integral part in up bringing positive impact and fostering education and community development.
Kennedy Zakochera
Sports and Play Coordinator Malawi
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“I see sports as a best tool for breaking barriers in advancement of issues affecting humanity. It unifies and brings about joy and excitement. The Sport and play program nails it, as it concerns the very foundation, the learners in primary schools, the matters of development.”
Minke van Geen – Meijboom
Managing Director / Founder
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‘I get very excited from the fact that children get the possibility to discover their own talents within the Join for Joy Sports and play program. They gain a lot of confidence and self-esteem, which I believe is extremely important in life.’
Meike Smit
Program Manager
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‘During my studies at the Academy of Physical Education, the importance of sports and play for a child became very clear to me. I realized all the more that every child has the right and should have the opportunity to play. Sports and play activities in school is one of the greatest motivations for children to come to school and stay in school. Learning through play not only provides more fun at school, but also teaches the children to deal with the challenges they face every day.’
Daan Hardeman
Project Coordinator
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‘With my passion for sport and play, I have the privilege to train teachers the importance of sport for development and bring JOY to the children. Due to our sustainable program in learning through play, children are highly motivated to come to school and stay at school!’
Martine Beijerman
International Program Coordinator
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‘Join for joy offers me the unique opportunity to be part of a tangible initiative, yet so large for many African children.’
Romée Nieuwland
Partnerships & Marketing manager
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‘After starting at Join for Joy as marketing intern, I quickly felt a strong connection to the mission and the warm Join for Joy family. I’m proud to be a part of this family as the Partnerships & Marketing Manager today.’
Hannah Kooren
Founder / International Program Coordinator
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‘I believe that every child has the right to enjoy childhood but unfortunately many children all over the world grow up without enjoying the fun of sports and play. With Join for Joy we aim to inspire primary schools and invite their children and teachers to experience the empowering, joyful and connecting impact of sports and play.’
Our Board
Frank van den Brink
Board Chairman
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With our sports and play program we offer children the opportunity to be children again and from there, we work on a solid basis for learning and development at school. Our program ensure that children become more resilient to the environment in which they grow up and with the “Joy” we offer them we want to increase educational opportunities and involvement in various regions. I believe in education as a sustainable basis for a better future and I would like to commit myself for it. Every day we strive for a sparkle and a smile that gives hope for a better future’
Arie Torres
Board
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‘In my opinion, sports is a basic need that every child is entitled to. Join for Joy fights to provide for this need and also teaches children valuable life lessons whilst doing so. I am proud to be part of this mission and to contribute to it.‘
Michiel Schul
Board / Founder
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‘I hope that with our Sports and play program we can let children forget about their daily responsibilities and give them an unforgettable time.’
Our Advisory board
Annette van Andel
Network facilitator at AgriProFocus
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‘Sport is a great way to contribute to the social development of children (and adults), anywhere in the world. By combining sports, games and fun, young people involved in join for joy add value to the lives of children in Kenya and Uganda’
Meike Bartels
Full Professor in Genetics and Wellbeing at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
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‘There is nothing more important than that all children in the world can be carefree and happy. In my daily research I try to find out what makes people happy. I think it’s fantastic to help Join for Joy with their wonderful mission. Together we will ensure that even more children can experience happiness and pleasure through sports and games. Wellbeing for all!
Alex Klusman
Co founder of BKB | Het campagnebureau
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‘I truly believe in the power of sport and play activities as a meaningful contribution to the quality of life of children, as much here in Europe as in Africa.
Our Board of inspiration
Nanne van der Leer
Founder of Lief Leven
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‘I believe we from the West too often forget to simply have fun. When I had contact with Join for Joy I thought: this is it! They help children in Sub-Saharan Africa to become more resilient through sports and play, it motivates them to stay in school and discuss difficult (but oh so important) topics, while the children teach us to dance again in Joy, out loud. Howling with laughter and being thankful for the little things. We help each other and make the world a bit more beautiful together!’
Rob Reckers
Founder of Wildwoozt
Our Ambassadors
Wout Weghorst
Professional football player at VFL Wolfsburg
Mwangala Ikacana
Former Miss Zambia
Rachèl Louise
Sing a song writer
