About Us
Our Mission
To spread the power of optimism to help kids overcome adversity and live a good a life.
Our Vision
A world where all children can grow up feeling safe, loved and joyful.
Our Story
The Playmaker movement started in the United States in 1989, under the name Project Joy, to heal and strengthen children – especially those whose lives have been deeply affected by trauma. Over time, the movement became Life Is Good Playmakers after it was embraced by the Life Is Good Kids Foundation (LIGKF) link to the Kids Foundation page, a Boston-based non-profit organization. Following the January, 2010 earthquake, members of our team began working with LIGKF. Supported with appropriate trainings and supplied with play equipment, our team members began running playgroups for children living in tent cities in and around Port-auPrince. We called ourselves the GÈRYE JWA since we are committed to protecting the playful optimism of Haiti’s children. 10 With the financial support of the Life Is Good Kids Foundation, several members of our team received additional advanced training both in Haiti and the United States in 2010 and 2011. In late 2011, we opened our official office under the name of GÈRYE JWA/Life Is Good Playmakers Ayiti and continue to share the same mission with LIGKF. To date, our team has trained over 8,000 Playmakers who are bringing a joyful, healing approach to more than 225,000 children.
1300+
Teachers and Parents Trained
245000
Children Positively Impacted
525
Schools and churches Assisted
15
Year of Intervention
Our Team

Mike Rich
Lead Architect

Mike Rich
Lead Architect

Jenny Smith
Head Engineer (US)

Jenny Smith
Head Engineer (US)

George Doe
Head Engineer (CN)

George Doe
Head Engineer (CN)

Maria Jay
Head Engineer (AU)

Maria Jay
Head Engineer (AU)
Our Partners