Monday, 13 January 2014

Children's Day

The second Saturday in January is Children's Day in Thailand. Known as “Wan Dek” in Thai, this day is celebrated to give children the opportunity to have fun and to create awareness about their significant role towards the development of the country. There is a Thai saying that states, "Children are the future of the nation; if the children are intelligent, the country will be prosperous."
Many organizations from both government and commercial sectors organise celebration activities for children and their families. Some government offices are open for children to visit, with guided tours and exhibitions. The Royal Thai Air Force usually invites children to go and explore the aircraft and the Bangkok Bank distributes stationery, such as pens, pencils and books to every child that enters the bank. Schools have their own celebrations in the week leading up to Children's Day.

The centre we were working with last week were busy preparing the children for their planned celebrations on Friday, when the parents were invited to the school for a morning of fun activities, presents and food.

 One of the teachers with a parent, bagging up the wonderfully non-healthy snacks for the children!

 Children and parents enjoying the day together
 
The children performed a dance that they had been practising all week!
 
 We had bought a little gift for each of the children.
 
Families all sat down to eat together
 
On Saturday, we were invited to attend the celebrations that were organised at the local ministry offices of both the sub-district areas where we work, so we had to split our time between the two.
 
 There were official speeches...
 
 ...food and balloons...
 
 ...games and activities...
 
 ...music and dancing...
 
 ...and more of the same at the second location!
 
 


 
These events when families are invited to attend are a great opportunity for families from the Thai and migrant communities to share experiences together. I was busy thinking about some of the things we could do for next year's Children's Day, when it occurred to me that I won't be here for next year's Children's Day. Sad pouty face :-(



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