How KCCN marked Int’l Day of the African Child with Physically Challenged students

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The Korean Cultural Centre celebrated the International Day of the African Child with Physically Challenged students under the theme ‘The African Child Can Dream’ to encourage creativity and freedom through talks and painting from June 13 to 14 2024.

The two-days event was celebrated with six schools namely: School for the Blind, Jabi, Abuja School for the Deaf, Kuje and Abuja School for Special Needs, Kuje.

On the first day and LEA Primary School, Sokka, The Gold Crest Royal Academy and Pure Gold Int’l School on the second day making it a total of 120 children with six teachers.

The event exposed the children to some Korean people in Art, Sport and Films who had achieved their dreams regardless of their challenges (disabilities among others) through a presentation. The presentation titled ‘Notable People Doing Amazing Things’ featured BTS, Korean Vo Ra Mi Seo (Athlete and Model), Athlete Jeon Min-jae, Artist Seok Chang-woo, Kpop Idols -Big Ocean, Kim Ye-ri, also known as B-girl Yell; Actress Jung Eun-hye, Ballerina Go Ara, Footballer Son Heung-min, Actress Yuh-Jung Youn, and Director Bong Jong-ho. The take away lesson was to dream regardless of any challenges.

Of all the featured persons, Artist Seok Chang-woo had a great impact on the children as they couldn’t believe he was painting without hands. One of the students particularly referred to him as she talked about her dreams for her future when asked for feedback.

After the presentation, a few students were called upon to share what they would like to be in the future. It helped spur passion of other children to think creatively. Hence, when the painting session started, the children spared no time to begin painting creatively. Some prominent designs were that of a Doctor and Military personnel.

The School For The Blind, Jabi presented a song titled – We Are The Future and BTS song Permission To Dance (just the chorus) while the school, The Gold Crest Royal Academy rendered a dance showcasing the multicultural dances of the Nigerian people and LEA Primary School Sokka, rendered a drama which showcased the beauty of Nigeria-Korea relations in building a strong future – the drama tells a story of a man and his family (representing Africa) had a piece of land which he farmed on and met a friend (representing Korea) he told his friend Korean friend of his plan to be a successful farmer who had a large farm. His Korean friend offered to help him using technology. Together, they were successful.

After the painting session, one student from each school with the best painting shared their painting concept. The event came to a close with refreshments and group photos.

Below are some feedback from some teachers and some participants of the two-days event:

Mrs Irene Okoye, UBEB, as the coordinator of this event, said that bringing schools together to play, learn and interact was always a good thing.

“Today being the International Day of the African Child, so it’s a great avenue for the physically challenged students, the event is lovely.”

“The Practical through creating artwork; the fact that they are drawing and colouring their dreams. What they want to be in future is a way of giving them hope that their condition shouldn’t affect them and they can still keep their dreams alive.

“They are so happy, smiling, even the blind ones are busy and happy. Also, the blind singing, you could hear the passion and the hope in their voices. It was a way to encourage themselves” he said.

In summary, the event creatively conveyed the message of the theme: “The African Child Can Dream” very well through spurring the mind of the children to think and pass across their messages as art. It tells us that children are fertile grounds for possibilities and sowing this seed now, is paramount for a successful future.

Korea should keep this up. Before this event was meant for about 200 children from the FCT, but it’s been cut down to stages, so they shouldn’t relent, they should continue because they are giving joy to the Nigerian children, and not just children, but children from very small backgrounds. So please, this should be done again.

Moshu Hafis Adebayo, Teacher at Abuja School for the Deaf, Kuje said the event was wonderful.

“I appreciate Korea for this kind of event, it was an event of inclusion, to show these disabled kids that they’re still part of the world, and allow them to express their ideas, knowledge and feelings. They were provided with everything they could use to express themselves and I appreciate this fact.

“The practical part of this event is most impressive, the arts and crafts. Using their hands to do something is very much needed especially with physically challenged kids. It helps them feel relevant. So I appreciate this.

“My only suggestion is Korea should please continue and keep it up. Please come up with events that involve students from public schools because that’s the best way to reach the grassroots” he said.

Nathan Bulus, student of Hearing Disability School for the Deaf, Kuje who expressed himself in sign language noted, “I loved this program a lot. I loved having the opportunity to draw my dreams, and also because I know my drawing is beautiful.

I like this place, because it has many works of art on display, and I think it’s beautiful” he said.

Jessica Aba, student of Seeing Disability School for the Blind, Jabi Abuja said the event was so amazing.

“This event was so amazing. I loved it! I really enjoyed it. The colouring of the masks. I really enjoyed it. I want to say a very big thank you to Korea. Please do this again.

Dr. Edah Unenwojo Sarah of the Gold Crest Royal Academy said she learnt so much on the importance of a dream.

“Looking through the presentation of Korean people who had achieved their dreams even after facing challenges will have a significant impact on the children.

Mrs Oloyede Divine Love of Pure Gold International School said the event let them (children) to be creative. “For the first time, I noticed the students were able to conceive an idea and bring it to life on paper” she said.

Matthew John of LEA Primary School Sokka said they learnt and experienced a rich children’s day event.

“Even though the event was directed to the children, as teachers it was an opportunity for us to update our knowledge on creative ways to reach children”.

Pius Prosper of LEA Primary School Sokka said he want to be an Astronaut.

“It was lovely to learn to see that my dreams can come true especially when I saw the Artist that draws without his hands”.

Joy Onyeke of The Gold Crest Royal Academy said she learnt about Korean people who do great things.

Adigun Mazeedah of Pure Gold International School, “I learned that I can interpret my dreams through drawing. I learned imagination is powerful and possible to achieve through the persons I saw and learned about in the presentation”.