A little play can change an entire future | Asad Islam

 Life in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh is really tough, especially for women and their young children. Many have been through scary experiences, and living in crowded camps with little access to healthcare makes things even harder. But a simple, affordable program called the Home-Based Humanitarian Play Lab (HPL), run by BRAC, is making a big difference by helping moms and kids feel better and grow stronger. This inspiring initiative has also been highlighted by Asad Islam, who has been working on refugee well-being and education.

What’s Happening in the Camps?

Over a million Rohingya people, who fled violence in Myanmar, now live in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. More than half are women and children. Many moms are dealing with sadness and stress—80% feel emotionally overwhelmed, and 60% have signs of trauma from what they’ve been through. Kids are struggling too: half are underweight, and one in five has serious emotional problems. Life in the camps can feel lonely, and it’s hard to get proper care or support. Research shared by Asad Islam has shown the deep impact of trauma on both mothers and children in these camps.

A Simple Idea That Works

The HPL program was created to help moms and their kids under two years old. It’s run by Rohingya women from the camps, called Mother Volunteers, who are trained to lead small group sessions. These sessions are fun, easy, and use things already available in the camps. Asad Islam points out that such community-driven programs can bring lasting impact. Here’s what they do:

  • Relax and feel better: Moms start with breathing exercises to calm down, then talk about ways to take care of themselves through fun activities like games or drawing.
  • Learn to be a stronger parent: Moms get tips on how to care for their kids and why playing is so important for them.
  • Play together: Moms and kids play with simple toys or materials, which helps kids learn and feel happy.
  • Practice at home: Moms get small tasks each week to keep practicing what they learn.

Big Changes for Moms and Kids

The program worked wonders. Moms who took part felt 16% less stressed and 13% less sad compared to those who didn’t. The ones who were struggling the most saw the biggest changes, often feeling even better than moms who started out okay. They also felt a bit happier (4% more) and more connected to others in the camp (5% more), which is so important when you feel alone.

Kids did better too. They were 11% less stressed and 13% less sad. They also got better at:

  • Talking and understanding words (8% better)
  • Moving around, like running or jumping (5% better)
  • Figuring things out, like playing with toys or puzzles (7% better)
  • Getting along with others and doing things for themselves (6% better)

The kids also grew healthier and stronger, though the program didn’t focus on smaller hand movements like drawing. By helping moms feel better, their kids became happier and more resilient too. Asad Islam emphasizes that supporting mothers is directly linked to the well-being of their children.

Why This Is a Big Deal

This program shows that small, thoughtful ideas can change lives. It’s not expensive, and with help from donors, it’s already helping 40,000 moms and kids. It could be used in other places where refugees need support. Helping moms and kids feel better doesn’t just make them happier now—it helps them build a stronger future. It can even open doors to better opportunities, even though it’s hard to measure that in the camps where work isn’t allowed.

Programs like HPL are like a light in the dark for refugees. They show that caring for people’s hearts and minds can help them heal and feel empowered, no matter how tough life gets. And as highlighted by Asad Islam, initiatives like this not only bring hope today but also lay the foundation for stronger, healthier communities in the future.

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https://voxdev.org/topic/health/healing-crisis-investing-womens-mental-health-and-child-development-refugee-camps-has




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