IRC Sponsors Inclusive National Children's Day Event in Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Banda Aceh, Indonesia - 10 Aug 2007 -   Voices were raised in song, feet stomped, and hands clapped, on July 24 to celebrate children’s abilities at the National Children’s Day event sponsored by the IRC in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The goal was to celebrate the achievements of all children, focusing on the varied and unique talents of those who attended the day-long event.

About 600 people participated, including 148 children from primary and secondary special-needs schools, and parents, teachers and officials were on hand to cheer them on and offer encouragement. IRC teamed with Islamic Relief, World Vision, and the Ibrahim Nain Foundation to host the event.

“The goal of our National Children’s Day celebration was to show people that all children have the right to show their abilities,” said Friska Yanti Simare-Mare, IRC education manager. “It also gave the children a chance to be creative and to show that all children have the same rights.”

A highlight was a symbolic exchanging of tee shirts designed by students at a primary school for special-needs students. The children spent three days decorating the tee shirts and the results were varied and creative: a Superman emblem was painted on one, a bright green umbrella painted on another. The tee shirts encapsulated IRC’s goal of the day and overarching philosophy: to showcase what children can do rather than focusing on what they cannot do, said Simare-Mare. IRC education programs in Aceh are designed to achieve sustainable improvement in schools of the province, which was hard hit by the tsunami of December 2004.

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National Children’s Day event photoset on Flickr >