On average, over 45% of the population in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Malawi is under 14 years old, making access to quality education imperative to improve the socioeconomic circumstances for this generation and those to come. However, children in rural areas are confronted with daily challenges, such as extreme poverty, violence (including sexual violence), lack of quality education, child labor, and transmittable diseases. Instead of providing a safe environment where children can work on their health, resilience, and future perspective, rural schools deal with significant dropout rates. The Join for Joy program, developed by the non-governmental organization (NGO) named Join for Joy, uses sports and play as a tool for development. Sports and play can be powerful motivators for learning and effective channels to empowerment for students at all levels. This article examines how this education innovation brought many children back to school and has impacted their lives.