600 kids join "Children's Festival"

CEBU – Most of the children, especially the disadvantaged ones, wish to have more time enjoying the things kids of their age always love—playing.

And the Dolores S. Aboitiz Children’s Fund of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. was kind enough to grant the wish of more than 600 children who joined yesterday’s Children’s Festival, which is part of the celebration of the Children’s Month this October.

DSACF facilitated the event to address the concerns and needs the children as reflected in the package of activities they prepared for them.

DSACF has invited different organizations to help them gather different children from all walks of life from different communities within Cebu province. 

There were a total of 17 participating groups which consisted of non-government organizations, church-based organizations and educational institutions, among others.

The children were divided according to their background and needs. Children from the poor families and deprived communities were given utmost priority because they are the ones who need attention and care the most.

The participants to the event were children who are aged eight to 12, who are laborers, street children, abandoned and neglected, orphaned, special children, public and private school pupils, church-based children and indigenous children like the Badjaos. They were grouped into 21 and each of the group was a combination of all of these kinds of children.

DSACF Deputy Director Anabelle Fajardo said the purpose of mixing different kinds of personalities is to bridge the gap between children despite differences they have.

“We want them to see that amidst differences, they can still unite. Like in the case of special children, we want to communicate that special children should not be isolated because they can actually be integrated in the main stream. Their limitations do not make them less of a person,” said Fajardo.

The festival’s theme, “Something More,” desires to tell the participants that there is hope for children who are suffering from difficulty and that there is something more in life for them to see outside their own world.

Fajardo said the activity aimed at informing the children that regardless of their differences, they have equal rights.

She added the activity also aimed at getting the participation of adults to remind them that they play a vital role in molding the children as they grow. In fact, over 300 adults volunteered to run the event.

“We want to aware the adults that they have a very big responsibility as stewards of these children. All the children’s potential will be wasted if they will not be guided by good examples,” Fajardo said.

The activity brought them to three learning stations installed at Don Bosco Technology Center in barangay Punta Princesa.

The first station, which is the Kabataan Para sa Bayan is where Children had workshops and other activities that taught them about leadership and good citizenship.

On the other hand, the Kabataan Para sa Kalikasan at Kalusugan station offered teachings on environmental conservation and its implication to health. Here, children were taught to recycle, segregate and to think of 12 little things they can do for the country.

Fajardo said these are the things they want the kids to apply at home.

The third station, the Hataw sa Kabataan, focused on teaching the kids about Filipino culture and teamwork. Children were exposed and made to experience the different Filipino games.

“We made sure to convey Filipino values through these games,” said Fajardo. Games include, patintero, Luksong-tinik, bato-lata and other traditional games.

Aside from the trainings and fun, the children also received gifts from DASCF and the sponsors. They were given free shirts, caps and sling bags which also functioned as health kits with soap, nail cutter, towel, toothpaste and toothbrush inside.

Fajardo said they want to promote proper hygiene to children because this will contribute to their pleasant health condition.

The children were happy because they got lots of treats in the culmination party where unlimited ice cream and popcorn were offered.

“We are very thankful for the full support that the different sectors gave us to make this event a successful one,” Fajardo said. —Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB (THE FREEMAN)