“It rains a lot in our community, so rivers and canals form. When it rains, people can’t get through when they come here or go home because the bridge has been washed away by the river,” explains 9-year-old Génesis.
From in a small community near a river in Peru’s Piura region, Génesis lives every day with the risk of climate-related disasters, including floods, droughts and landslides. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon.
Recalling the last big storm to pass through her town, Génesis admits she was afraid. “The El Niño phenomenon was in the afternoon. At night it was really bad and I was scared because I was looking after my little sister. I thought I was going to lose my mother or my father.
To help children like Génesis who have been traumatised by the torrential rains that flooded their homes, Plan International runs ‘Plan of Joy’ play sessions in their school, a child-friendly space filled with board games, books and crayons and staffed by professionals who specialise in psychosocial support.
“With Plan of Joy and through the games, I was able to release these emotions and understand that these emotions are part of our body. When we started playing, I didn’t think about the rain anymore,” says Génesis. “Sharing with my friends made me see that I was not alone, that I was not the only one.”
The healing power of play not only helps children release negative emotions, but also creates a sense of togetherness. The games and activities are designed to help children cope with the impact of the floods and target different elements of their wellbeing.
The play sessions also focus on disaster risk reduction education for children, giving them the knowledge and skills they need not only to cope with future disasters, but to actively contribute to building resilient communities. “If there is another El Niño, I wouldn’t be afraid anymore because Plan of Joy has helped us a lot,” says Génesis.
In the weeks and months following the floods, the community rebuilt itself, but the effects of the disaster lingered. “Now there are some diseases going around, like dengue fever and flu,” explains Génesis. “But what we need is water, more games, more things to learn.”
Genesis’ story highlights the importance of addressing children’s emotional needs and building their resilience to disasters. Providing safe spaces and play activities not only helps children process their experiences, but also empowers them to face future adversity with determination.
“My message to girls like me is that it’s normal to be scared or sad during emergencies, but that together we can get through anything,” says Génesis with conviction.
About the project
The Plan of Joy play sessions were implemented in flood-affected communities in Piura region following the heavy rains caused by the coastal El Niño phenomenon in 2023. Funded by Plan International’s Early Action Fund, the play sessions reached more than 1,000 children in the first quarter of 2024.
Designed as a space for learning through play, the play sessions aim to strengthen children’s skills in self-care, resilience, rights and protection from violence, and to teach them how to reduce the risks of future disasters. The play sessions are facilitated by trained community members and three psychosocial support professionals.
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