Spreading smiles: Food, sports and magic all in a day

Children of SOS village had fun to their heart’s delight.

ISLAMABAD:

Their eyes glistened when a magician performing a trick released a pigeon from an empty hat. This might be an old show for many but it was a new one for hundreds of children present at the “Spreading the Smiles” event at the SOS village here Sunday morning.

National Youth Parliament (NYP) Pakistan organised the event in collaboration with Alif Ailaan, Green Volunteers and Revolution Fame.

A total of 350 children along with their parents, teachers and young volunteers had come for a day full of fun and educational activities.

Clusters of children were swirling from one corner to the other where various activities were ongoing. From the Hand printing of the Pakistan flag to face painting and then to the snacks corner to regain their energy, they seemed to be in a rush to do as much as they could on just this one day.

The children were monitored by volunteers who successfully managed to make children sit on picnic mats before they could be treated with pizza and cold drinks. Folding their hands offering collective prayer before their meal seemed to be the ritual followed by almost all of them. With their stomach full, they seemed hungry for fun.

Five-year old Rimsha’s knitted cap was intentionally tucked behind her ears so that she could flaunt her new earnings. Wearing her new outfit for the event, Rimsha was not allowed to participate in events that will spoil her clothes by her mother.  “I have enjoyed my meal and I am enjoying watching my friends have a good time” she said.

Ten-year old Mohammad Shehzad was trying to impress his friends with his impersonation of the magic tricks that he had just seen. “This is the first time we have seen a magic show in our life and now we will practice till we can be as good” he said laughingly. With the Pakistan- flag imprint on his face and his hands, a nine-year-old Mohammad Rizwan said that he and his friends get to attend such events at least four times a year.

The event carried on with sports events such as Spoon Race, Sack Race, Tug of War, Relay Race, Sprints, Water Balloon game followed by a bonfire.

National Youth Parliament President Tauseef Abbasi said that this was the second time the NYP had successfully organized an event with children. He said it was essential to engage and promote events with the underprivileged members of the society, especially the children in order for them to feel as a part of the system and not neglected. “We had earlier done an event at a smaller scale and by seeing hundreds of children today we know that the success is only making us grow, he said.

The NYP spokesperson Ayesha Nayyar said that working on voluntary basis had managed to collect an amount close to Rs200,000 that was generated for this event by donations made by friends and family. Moreover, some volunteers had also managed to collect items such as 300 sweaters, toothbrushes, combs and shoes that were made part of the giveaway bags distributed amongst children by the end of the evening.

The fun filled day ended with fireworks and lighting of lanterns.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2014.