Our History
Any idea or initiative to help others, has a first step: know where the stars are.
Founder Barbara Fulford is a psychologist with a particular interest in children. She has worked in the establishment of a child life program when the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario was founded here in Ottawa. has a committed group of friends ready to engage in fundraising activities to achieve this aim.
In the search for information about other similar organizations, she learned about *La Voz de la Mujer* a project in Lima, Peru, run by Maria E. Otarola. This project offered financial support and capacity building to women, victims of violence, and their children. The needs were many and urgent and there was never enough money to spare for toys and games that the children desperately needed, explained Maria Eugenia. Then, Barbara invited her to join forces and later formalize the status of a new NGO named CHILD PLAY INTERNATIONAL.
Children have an inherent need for play, activity, and amusement, and any interference with these needs is bound to cause suffering. Child Play International is dedicated to providing a rich environment for all children to thrive.
Pauline Hobbs (President)
I have enjoyed being a Board Member of Child Play International since its inception. I began my career as a Child Life Worker at the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto. Following this, I worked at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. It was through my work at CHEO that I met Barbara Fulford and became involved in CPI. Since then, we have worked together with projects in Argentina, Peru, and currently in Mexico. Nowadays, I enjoy spending time with my four grandchildren.
Vanessa Hobbs Meftahi (Vice-President)
I am happy to be serving CPI as Vice-President, and being able to take part in the great work that this organization does. I was first introduced to CPI as a child, when I would participate in the fundraising events that my mom, as a board member, would help organize. After graduating from university in Psychology, I joined the Board as Secretary. I currently work part-time as a mental health professional and have 3 children.
Dulce Ibarra (Treasurer)
I am an Early Childhood Educator that advocates for the importance of play in young children. I met Barbara Fulford in 2001 at one of Child Play International’s earliest fundraiser events and I was very impressed by the programs that such a small organization run only by volunteers was supporting. At that time, the main programs were a playgroup for children in a hospital in Argentina and a playgroup in a women’s shelter in Peru. I was asked to become a volunteer and I have been a part of this organization ever since.
Cathy McMillan (Secretary)
I am currently serving as secretary for Child Play International. I was introduced to the organization about 10 years ago through Pauline and Vanessa, who are also Board Members. I have my Masters of Psychology and work at a day program for people struggling with mental health and addictions. I have traveled extensively around the world and have enjoyed
time in Mexico & South America where our programs have been located
Myriam Esguerra
I am Myriam Esguerra, and I have two sons, one daughter, and four grandchildren.
My two sons came to study at Concordia University in Montreal and they both decided to settle in Canada permanently.
After a big loss in my life, I came to Ottawa to be close to them.
In those early years, I met Barbara Fulford and learned about her organization: CPI. Throughout my life, I have been part of similar organizations in other countries, and I felt a strong desire to be part of this group.
Being close to my family and volunteering in organizations like CPI gives meaning to my life in my time in Canada.
Martina Casey
When I retired from my job of 35 years in child care I joined a Nepali NGO here in Ottawa that focussed on education in the rural part of Nepal. My focus was to set up situations for children to have care while their older siblings could attend school.
We opened 2 small daycares in remote areas but realized we would have a greater effect if we trained more teachers in ECE. Subsequently, we formed a cooperative agreement with a large daycare in one of the cities where I started childcare workshops for teachers in the field of ECE.
When Barbara Fullford asked me to join Child Play International I felt it would be a great connection to join the organization and use my experience in childcare to be useful.
Maria Eugenia Otarola
Studied sociology at Sussex University, UK.
She has worked on Women's Issues in England, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Nicaragua, giving special attention to the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children.
More recently Maria Eugenia has concentrated her efforts on the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the Americas, mostly in Paraguay, Peru (in the Amazon basin), and Chile.
Virginia Lam
I became involved with CPI because I believe this charitable organization can make a positive impact on the lives of children in Canada and in other parts of the world.