Psychiatrist, Dr. Michael Rayel and his wife, Pediatrician, Dr. Gayzelle Meneses-Rayel, founded Oikos Global (pronounced eeh-kos) in the spring of 2004.  With young ones of their own, the doctors recognized the importance of helping children to develop life skills and set about creating quality products that make learning fun.

Oikos Global is as unique as its name (“oikos”) which means ‘sphere of influence’. The name signifies its objective of helping families throughout the world to improve relationships and to assist individuals, especially children, expand their positive influence to others.

As the maker of emotional and social skills games — the Oikos Game Series, Oikos Global is committed to encouraging personal and emotional skill development in this generation’s children.

Its first product, Oikos Game — winner of 2005 Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award — aims to help kids learn practical skills such as dealing with bullies, being assertive, showing empathy, solving problems, and facing strangers. Oikos Game Level 2 is just as fun but is more challenging.

Oikos Global’s innovative, social skills, and personal development products include: Oikos Game 3: The Key to Success, A 31 Day Success Principles for Kids and Teens, and A 31 Day Positive Affirmations for Kids and Teens.

Oikos Game 3: The Key to Success teaches older kids and adults not only emotional and social skills but also success principles and some practical strategies on how to say “no” to drugs and alcohol. The A 31 Day Series for kids and teens serves as positive affirmations and as daily food for thought.

Oikos Global’s new family products include word games such as Wordigy and Wordigy Jr., and party games such as Actus Tale and Fikloo.

Through its annual award, Oikos Global recognizes the improvements youth make to the emotional lives of their peers. The Oikos Global Award honors those who have developed positive ways to deal with bullies; helped prevent the use of street drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol; improved communication among peers; established a support network; or reduced violence in their school and community.