Boardgames have the power to transform lives
At Chrysalis Secondary School we believe that boardgaming can bring children together, develop interpersonal and problem solving skills and open children’s minds to the challenges and opportunity in the wider world.
Children growing up in villages follow a set of rules and through the medium of boardgames we aim to help them challenge at least some of these rules. Using games, young people can gain critical personal development skills – planning, social skills, resource management, memory, maths, self confidence to name a few – all of which help them find solutions to problems in the communities.
Why is board gaming important for the children of Uganda?
Board games provide a window to the outside world, which can inspire them to think of a life outside the village
Playing board games develop confidence, as children realise their capabilities
Written text in games can encourage children to improve their reading skills, so as to be able to compete on a level footing
Co-operative games encourage working together, a necessity to solve rural problems, when cash is less available
Board game themes can make other learning more fun or introduce new topics. For instance, games about global warming are a useful vehicle to explain the reasons for climate change.
Board games are not usually electricity-dependent, so they can be played in areas where power is unreliable or non-existent
Games are enjoyable to children and encourage sociability. This will have a long-term benefit to them in making friends and improving relationships
Villages have little available for children to tax their mental abilities and games can help cognitive development, as a result, as well as identify those who would benefit most from a higher level of education