In the words of O. Fred Donaldson, play specialist and author of Playing by Heart

"Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn."

Angana’s Story: Why I Believe in the Power of Play

Education is undoubtedly the foundation for a better life. In a country like ours, despite resources, access to quality education remains a far-fetched dream for many. Here, traditional schooling often overlooks emotional intelligence and life skills. Amidst such a lacuna, I’ve spent over a decade of my life working with an organization that believes learning can, and should, be different. That organization is Project KHEL.

Founded by Akshai Abraham, Project KHEL began with the idea that learning should be joyful, accessible, and rooted in real-life experiences. His time at boarding school and later, during a fellowship in Austria, helped him recognize the many gaps in our education system; gaps that academics alone could not fill. The idea started as a sports-for-development initiative, but it evolved into something more holistic. We’re now a team that reimagines education through the lens of play, empathy, and inclusion. From being a ‘play for life skills’ organization, we grew into one that focuses on menstrual attitude management, child sexual abuse prevention, and comprehensive sex education. 

I’ve been part of Project KHEL for over 12 years- as a curriculum designer, master trainer, educator, and communications lead. And if there’s one thing I say often, it’s this- “Play is our pedagogy”. It’s not just a tool. It’s the foundation of how we build trust, encourage empathy, and ignite learning.

Learning That Meets Children Where They Are

The playground is our classroom. Our curriculum comes alive in parks, community halls, shelter homes, informal schools, and open fields across Lucknow. It could be in coaching a game of Ultimate Frisbee or in facilitating a session on decision-making with teenagers- we are deeply responsive to the context and emotional landscape of the children we engage with.

Take our frisbee program, for example. At first glance it’s about sport. But dig a little deeper and you’ll see it’s really about teamwork, gender sensitivity, solution-oriented thinking and respectful, non-violent communication. It’s through these games that children begin to have a better understanding of themselves and their camarades.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. A 7-year old studying in a government-aided school requires a different approach from another 7-year old studying in an after-school program so they can go to work before and after school. What we have done is create a dynamic curriculum that looks the same for any of our centers, but we invest heavily in training our facilitators to deliver the same activities customized to the needs of our children in a particular center. 

Gender Isn’t a Module. It’s a Mindset.

One of the most rewarding aspects of our work has been how organically gender equality has become part of our culture. We don’t teach it as a separate topic. We live it in every session. Mixed-gender teams are the norm. Facilitators model respectful dialogue. We celebrate vulnerability, encourage expression, and challenge stereotypes by simply doing things differently.

Over the years, I’ve seen profound shifts in young people. A girl who would join our sessions apologetically eventually began to stand straight, maintain eye contact and even laugh openly. There was an immense growth- both physically and emotionally. A boy who often lashed out in anger softened when met with patience and praise. I remember a teen who was reeling from heartbreak and beginning to spiral. During a non-session interaction with him, something clicked. He realized he didn’t have to internalize toxic ideas about masculinity. He could choose to be kind- to himself and others.

These aren’t rare stories. They’re the quiet revolutions we witness every day. This is what we are after. That is why we do not believe in numbers- we believe in stories.  

The Curriculum Lives and Breathes

(Each activity) Everything at Project KHEL is intentional. Our Facilitators are called PLAYducators, meaning educators who use the language of play. How every activity unfolds is intentional - whether we stand in a circle or sit in a triangle or jump in straight lines, everything has a reason. Some of our activities are playful reinterpretations of traditional games; others are activities we’ve designed to explore dynamics like peer pressure, power, or trust. But behind every session is the goal which is geared to help young people reflect and connect.

We also create space for child-led sessions. Here children lead activities, make decisions, and co-create safety within the group. This isn’t just about inclusion. It’s about agency. When children realize that their voice matters, something powerful shifts. They carry that self-belief with them long after the game ends.

Why We’ve Chosen to Stay Small

We have been asked why we have not grown beyond Lucknow. Though we’ve impacted thousands of lives, Project KHEL has consciously chosen not to scale in the conventional sense. Our focus is deep, not wide. Instead of expansion, we invest in building capacity within others. We train NGOs, schools, and grassroots organizations to adopt our approach. We believe that emotional safety, trust, and consistent care can’t be mass-produced. They need to be cultivated, over time, with the right intention.

What We Need

To continue doing this work well, we need support; not just funding, but people who believe in our mission. We’re looking for team members who bring in expertise in curriculum development, communications, or just a deep desire to work with children in meaningful ways. In a world where education is often reduced to exam scores and rote learning, we stand for something different. Our sense of learning spills over to understanding, kindness, and courage. We are in a way nurturing emotionally intelligent, gender-sensitive, socially aware young people. And we’re doing it one game at a time.

How HerConversation Can Amplify Project KHEL

As someone who has lived and breathed this work for over a decade, I know that the right stories told at the right time can move hearts and open doors. That’s where our collaboration with HerConversation comes in.

Here’s how this platform can help us grow our community and impact:

• Feature real stories by sharing the journeys of our participants, facilitators, and volunteers.

• Collaborate on social media networks and make our work relatable to new audiences.

• Bring our team and young changemakers into public discussions about gender, play, and inclusive education.

• Offer space for us to write about our philosophy, lessons learned, and the broader implications of our work.

• Introduce Project KHEL to Her Conversation’s subscribers, sparking donations, volunteer interest, and collaboration.
  

Together, we can ensure that more people see the power of what’s possible when we center education on empathy, equity, and joy.