Rising Up Foundation | Helping Children Learn Courage and Honesty Through Stories

— A Reflection on Angelina’s “Role Play and Social Expression” Class

Last weekend, the classroom at Rising Up Foundation was filled with laughter, excitement, and imagination. It wasn’t just an acting class — it was a journey into empathy, honesty, and courage, led by our inspiring Program Director, Angelina.

She began the class with a story that everyone knows — The Emperor’s New Clothes.
After telling the story, she gently asked the children,
“If you were that little boy who saw the emperor wearing nothing, would you speak up?”

The room went quiet for a few seconds. Then a little girl raised her hand and said softly,
“I think I would, but I might feel scared.”

Angelina smiled and said,
“That’s what courage really means. It doesn’t mean you’re not afraid — it means you do what’s right even when you are afraid.”

From that moment, the class became more than just acting. It became a lesson about being true to yourself.

Angelina then divided the children into small groups and asked them to act out their own versions of the story.
Some children played the emperor, others the tailors, and some played the brave child who told the truth.

They laughed and acted, giving the old story new endings:
One group made the emperor apologize to his people.
Another turned the tailors into honest friends.
And one child said, “I think the little boy is the hero because he wasn’t afraid to speak up.”

Angelina nodded. “Each of us has an invisible outfit too,” she said.
“Sometimes it’s shyness, fear, or the worry of being different. But when we speak the truth and show our real selves, that invisible outfit begins to disappear.”

Something beautiful happened at the end of class.
A quiet boy, who rarely spoke in front of others, stood up to play the brave child.
He took a deep breath and said clearly, “The emperor isn’t wearing anything!”

The room erupted with clapping and cheers.
Angelina looked at him with warmth and said, “You just showed us what being real looks like.”

In that moment, everyone felt the power of authenticity — that being yourself is the most courageous thing you can do.

Angelina’s program teaches more than acting or storytelling.
It helps children build social-emotional awareness, learn empathy, and express themselves with confidence.
As she often says, “Acting is not pretending. It’s about understanding others and discovering who you are.”

Through stories and role play, these children are not only finding their voices — they are learning to use them with kindness, honesty, and heart.

Thank you, Angelina, for creating a space where children learn to be brave, to speak their truth, and to shine as their truest selves.

At Rising Up Foundation, we believe education is not only about knowledge — it’s about nurturing courage, compassion, and authenticity in every child.