EMBRACING NATURE THROUGH ART AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY: TO COMMEMORATE 2024 WORLD CHILDREN'S DAY
Mega Impact Foundation Green Arts Family Festival to Commemorate 2024 World Children's Day
Mega Impact Foundation (MIF) organized its Champs and Pencils Green Art Family Festival to commemorate the UN World Children’s Day celebrated every 20th of November with the overarching objective of bringing children from across Delta State to join their counterparts across the world to celebrate the day
This year’s program in collaboration with Green sphere Environmental and Community Development Initiatives, Morgan Charitable Foundation and Women and Youth Empowerment For Global Change Initiative held in St Patrick’s College Asaba.
Background
The Champs and Pencils Green Arts Family Festival which is in its 4th year was born out of the need to raise children's awareness of different issues as it affects their development in a playful way and to let them express their dreams about the world in which they want to live. In this way they can creatively explore innovative solutions to achieve a better quality of life on Earth. The outcome of this collaborative creative process allows children express their innovative ideas for improving their daily lives
Champs & Pencils is designed to use art to give children the opportunity to express themselves. It aims to drive a Social/behavioral change within our community in hope of encouraging children, educators, families to embrace the act climate action and environmental sustainability. As well as use the art and culture competition to foster familiarity, encourage team work amongst participants and build moral rapport.
Champs and Pencils 2024
Culture Attire Competition Overview
Key Outcomes:
Nigeria is incredibly diverse, with over 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 indigenous languages. However, globalization and modernization threaten this cultural richness. UNESCO reports that 40% of the world's languages are at risk of disappearing, and many of these are in Africa, including Nigeria. This highlights the urgent need to involve younger generations in preserving their cultural heritage to prevent these traditions and languages from fading away.
Nigeria has a long-standing history of ethnic and religious tensions, sometimes leading to violence. A 2018 survey by the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics revealed that 60% of conflicts in the country stem from these differences, consequently, encouraging cross-cultural understanding and appreciation is crucial for fostering unity in Nigeria's diverse society.
By encouraging children to portray their own and others' cultures through art, this initiative promotes mutual understanding and tolerance from an early age.
This initiative also aims to advocate, promote and celebrate children's rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children to commemorate World Children’s Day and the theme “For every child, every right”
Objectives
• Promote Cultural Awareness: Encourage participants to explore and learn about their own culture as well as other Nigerian cultures.
• Foster Creativity: Provide children a platform to express their creativity and imagination through art.
• Unify Through Art: Use the medium of art to promote unity among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
• Develop Skills: Inspire interest in the arts and provide mentorship to help children develop their artistic skills.
• Build Capacity: Build Stakeholders and children’s capacity on their rights and responsibilities and climate action
The Event
The festival which was held on the 23rd of November, 2024 started with some opening remarks by Florence Ogonegbu, Initiator, Mega Impact Foundation, followed by Oluwaseun Ola-Daniels, Program Manager, Mega Impact Foundation. The Boys band from St’Patricks College performed the National Anthem.
Highlights of Drawing and Culture Diversity Competition
The drawing competition took place on the school’s field, which was beautifully decorated with culture-inspired artwork and vibrant colors and was coordinated by members of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Delta State branch led by their President general Mr. Samuel Bello
Participants
70 children ranging from 8-16 years participated in the competitions with over 200 families in attendance, participants enthusiastically took part in the junior and senior categories of the competitions and their artistic skills and creativity were truly commendable.
The theme for the competition, "My Culture, My Pride," encouraged children to depict the significance of culture in their daily lives, highlighting the bond between humans and culture. It aimed to inspire young minds to understand and appreciate our culture as a people, and to promote cultural diversity and unity.
Prizes and Recognition
The winners of the competition were announced in an award ceremony held at the end of the event. The first, second, and third place winners from each category were awarded certificates of achievement, educational materials and cash prizes
The drawing competition was a resounding success, promoting artistic expression, creativity, and an understanding of the importance of nature in our lives. The initiative provided participants with a platform to showcase their talent and fostered a deeper connection with the environment. It is through such endeavors that the younger generation are encouraged to become responsible stewards of nature while instilling in them the value of preserving our natural resources.
Junior Category Winner Esoyanya Bright
Senior Category Winner
Treasure Asiegbu
The Cultural Attire Competition was organized to commemorate the 2024 World Children’s Day, with a focus on celebrating diversity, creativity, and cultural heritage. This initiative provided a platform for children to showcase their rich cultural backgrounds while fostering a sense of unity and appreciation for different traditions.
Objectives:
1. To highlight the beauty of cultural diversity among children.
2. To educate participants and the audience on the significance of traditional attire in various cultures.
3. To promote inclusivity and mutual respect among children from different backgrounds.
Highlights
Cultural Attire Showcase:
1. Each participant presented their attire, describing its cultural significance. Attires included Benin, Delta, Igbo and Yoruba traditional outfits
2. Judging and Criteria:
o Judging panel composed of cultural fashion experts and educators.
Criteria included authenticity, creativity, presentation, and cultural knowledge.
3. Entertainment:
o Traditional music and dance performances. Interactive activities for the audience to learn about the showcased cultures.
4. Award Ceremony: Prizes awarded for categories such as “Most Authentic Attire,” “Best Presentation,” and “Audience Favorite.”
• Fostered greater awareness and appreciation for cultural heritage among children and attendees.
• Strengthened the bond between participants through shared learning experiences.
• Enhanced community engagement in celebrating World Children’s Day.
Conclusion
The Cultural Attire Competition successfully highlighted the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural heritage while promoting inclusivity and respect among children. It aligned with the spirit of World Children’s Day by empowering young individuals through cultural expression.
Thank you to our esteemed Partners
• Harrison Agboro- CEO Greenshpere Environmental and Community Development Initiative
• Dr. Marr Morgan- Executive Director, Morgan Charitable Foundation
• Phil Badaki- Africk Wardrobe
• Deborah Obu- Women and Youth Empowerment for Global Change Initiative
• Rev. Father Mokwuonye- Principal, St Patrick’s College, Asaba
• Jumai Nwachukwu- Pointer Newspaper, Delta State
• Boys-Lane Club
• Mother of Divine Mercy Orphanage
Signed
F.O
Florence Ogonegbu
Initiator
Mega Impact Foundation
About us
Mega Impact Foundation (MIF) was
conceived and birthed on the 26th of July, 2014 in South Africa, providing
services like after school classes, food packs and shelter support for refugee
children and mothers. Providing them with psycho social support and welfare to
take them through the trauma they experienced while fleeing their Country of
origin for various reasons. Other development activities included educating
young people in underserved communities on career choices as well as
extra-curricular activities to support their all-round development.
MIF is a dedicated non-profit
organization committed to uplifting and empowering young people to realize
their full potential. MIF focuses on providing educational support, mentorship,
and life skills development to youth from underserved communities, ensuring
they have the tools and opportunities needed to succeed in life.
While MIF was registered and
began its operation in Nigeria on the 18th of November, 2016. MIF was born out
of the need to properly re-orientate the mind-set of young people in Africa
through education, capacity development and empowerment. We are impelled to
create a sustainable society with the use of innovative and engaging outreach
initiatives in the hope of addressing issues as it relates to the social rights
of youths.
Social Media handles
https://web.facebook.com/megaimpactfoundation/
https://www.instagram.com/megaimpact/
https://twitter.com/MegaImpactTeam?t=-m4FZSx8fJNF1bVHNDZIVA&s=08
https://www.act4sdgs.org/profile/Megaimpactfoundation
https://www.linkedin.com/company/104308453/admin/page-posts/published/
Comments
Post a Comment