In the euphoria of the 2021 Children’s day celebration, the Centre for Young Development and Poverty Alleviation Initiative CYDPAN, joined the world over to mark the day.
To mark the day, CYDPAN took to strategic locations in Akwa Ibom State to celebrate with kids and students within and outside the school walls.
At Ibom hall ground where the children’s day celebration took place, CYDPAN led by its Executive Director, Mr Robert Boniface, wife, Mrs Gladys Robert and other team members spoke with students from different schools.
The schools CYDPAN spoke with were; Scripture Union Secondary School, RayField Secondary School and Pinnacle Nursery/Primary School, Uyo.
Speaking to the students separately, CYDPAN Director explained thoroughly the uniqueness of the day and why the world set aside the day to celebrate children all over the world.
While educating the students on the importance of the day, Mr Boniface told them that they were special breeds created in the awesomeness of God; a perfect replica and torchbearer of our society, therefore they needed to live optimally to fulfil that purpose.
He stressed that as an NGO, CYDPAN will continue to spotlight issues that hinder children from achieving their dream while providing and advocating for a better society for them to thrive.
In her charge, Mrs Glady Boniface explained to the students that, as valuable assets of the society, they should remain resolute and dedicated even as they pursue their academic dreams.
She noted that the happiness and hope children bring to the world was unimaginable, adding that they should never forget hey are loved and appreciated by the world.
Shortly after the charge were handed down by the CYDPAN Directors, the students from the different schools took snapshots with heart warming and expressive warming placards.
The team also made a stop over at Ibom recreational centre popularly known as Ibom Plaza to mark the day with street kids.
At Ibom plaza, the team was greeted with excitement from some of the street kids who posed for a snapshot with the team.
The team took time to cheer the children by encouraging them not to be limited by their present environment, reaffirming that they can be more in the society if they push hard.
While basking in the euphoria of the day, the team ran into a young girl named Esther, fufu hawker who upon interaction expressly told the team that she can’t pose for a snapshot because she’s not ‘beautiful’.
With a sober expression on her face, Esther turned the team down still insisting she wasn’t fit to be captured in the photo session or to celebrate the day.
The decision which aroused the interest of the team, had the CYDPAN directors swooping in to disabuse her mind.
The CYDPAN directors with words laced with hope and prayer shared touching stories of people who came from humble beginning like her and how they overcame the hurdle to be celebrated today.
After a thought and mind provoking session, Esther obliged and took snapshot with the team to mark the day.
Meanwhile, the day’s celebration was rounded off with cash gifts to some of the street kids.
#cypdanchildrendayouting #2021childrensday
