The 1st of June marked the celebration of International Children’s Day. This day is set aside to celebrate the rights of the children. The theme chosen by the World Health Organization for the day was Healthy Kids = Happy Kids. Since the theme went along with Nestlé Zimbabwe’s Creating Shared Value Healthy Kids Global Programme, Nestlé Zimbabwe joined forces with Showmasters in celebrating the day in Harare, Zimbabwe.
A total of ten schools participated namely: Avondale Primary, Glen View 1 Primary, Glen View 7 Primary, Chinembiri Primary, S.O.S. Waterfalls, Fungisai Primary, Moffat Junior, Alfred Beit Trust Primary, Lochinvar Primary and Dzivarasekwa Primary Schools. Churchill Boys High was also present as they led the march past town to the venue. This event was held at the Harare Gardens. The start of the event was marked by the Mayor’s Speech which was done on his behalf by the Deputy Mayor of Harare.
This was followed by a parade by the school children from town house to the venue. A welcome speech was made by the Showmasters Marketing Consultant Miss. Makie Mbanje.
The parade across town to the Harare Gardens
Other companies present were PSMI, FAVCO and Innscor. PSMI dental gave the children present a brief teaching on how to take care of their teeth properly. The children showed great enthusiasm and asked a number of questions. FAVCO sponsored the event with fruits and juice for all the guests present. Innscor provided food for the children and teachers present. Nestle Zimbabwe distributed 100 Healthy Kids T-shirts and pamphlets with information on the virtues of having a nutritious, balanced diet and physical activities.
Nestlé Zimbabwe took the opportunity to do the draw for the Healthy Kids Competition that ran concurrently with Athletics and Physical Education from February to April 2012. This was a nationwide event and there was one winner from each of Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces. Each winner walked away with a $500 school fees voucher and $1000 to the school they attend.
Random selection of kids to conduct the draw
The winners per province were as follows:
|
NAME
|
SCHOOL
|
PROVINCE
|
|
Hellen. T. Togara
|
Hartley 1 Primary School, Chegutu
|
Mashonaland West
|
|
Christabel Mumwa
|
Kambarami Primary School, Mrewa
|
Mashonaland East
|
|
Nigel Kadete
|
Chindotwe Primary School,
Harare
|
Mashonaland Central
|
|
Chantel Chiswa
|
Chiedza Primary School, Mbare
|
Harare
|
|
Getrude Matsilele
|
Chesvingo Primary School, Neshuro, Masvingo
|
Masvingo
|
|
Eunice Mangwiro
|
Nyamatsito Primary School, Nembudziya
|
Midlands
|
|
Prevalant Bukuta
|
Chatindo Primary School, Nyanga
|
Manicaland
|
|
Mcebisi Dube
|
Bengo Primary School,
|
Matebeleland South
|
|
Fortune Mathe
|
Ndimakule Primary School, Hwange
|
Matebeleland North
|
|
Nqobile Mpofu
|
Induba Primary School,
Bulawayo
|
Bulawayo
|
These winners will be announced in the local press and on national radio. Furthermore the school to which they attend will be contacted for presentation of their prizes.
The children who attended the International Children’s day were entertained with some traditional music from a local song and dance group. There were also dancing competitions among the kids from different schools selected randomly.
Entertainment by a traditional dance group
For their physical exercise there was a karate group that gave them tips on how to do the karate moves. There was a lot of enthusiasm and interest shown by the school children in exercising and keeping well.
Kids going through Karate paces
In conclusion the International Children’s day celebrations were a success. A job well done by all the parties that involved.