Join for Joy is an NGO that was founded 14 years ago in Amsterdam with the mission of making primary education more inclusive and joyful in rural areas of Eastern Africa. The organisation trains teachers to use playful, participatory learning methods while also addressing essential topics such as malaria, menstruation, and gender equality. The ultimate goal is to reduce school drop-out rates by making learning not only more accessible but also something children genuinely enjoy. The focus on centring joy, positivity, and inclusion remains at the heart of the organisation’s work.

Join for Joy has had an office at Contact since the end of March. While still new to the space, they love the open atmosphere, creative energy, and getting to witness art in the progress of being made. The garden, especially as the weather warms up, is another favourite part of working here.

What continues to serve as an inspire for the team is seeing the impact of their work firsthand when getting to visit the schools, talk to the teachers who lead the programs, and watch the children engage with learning in a joyful way. Play becomes a tool not just for fun, but for empowerment. Seeing children excited to learn because the lessons are made joyful and relevant remains the most meaningful outcome of all.