Day of Child Rights celebration
By Togtokhbayar Dorjpalam
630 children from all over Mongolia joined in celebrating the Day of Child Rights on May 30, 2013 at the International Children’s Centre called ‘Nairamdal’. This has been a yearly event since its inception in 2007. The event is organized by WVIM and International Children’s Centre ‘Nairamdal’. Orphan and special needs children were numbered among the children who enjoyed the day.
Excited sounds emanated from the buses arriving at the International Children’s Centre to celebrate the Day of Child Rights. “Hello Nairamdal” were the high pitched squeals from the children as they disembarked and began to play and run. Children in Mongolia dream of visiting the Nairamdal children’s resort.
Children jostled for front row seats so they can be close to the famous Mongolian artists who were invited for this celebration. The hot bright sun caused many children sit in the roof shadow for comfort.
Sarantuya B, Outstanding Singer of the Century, joined World Vision’s Blue Sky Children’s choir to perform the famous Mongolian song ‘Which one is good or bad?’ All the children were asked to join in, however some children just looked on in awe.
Children were thrilled when the new group band of the State Academic Theatre of Drama “Emotsi” performed. Children ran excitedly to the front of the stage and danced with the well-known art and culture artists. Some were shy, others imitated the band’s dancing.
Seven learning stations were set up for the children to learn about this year’s theme “Let’s Save Our Green World”. Some of the stations encouraged learning about sports, ethics, how to protect the environment and ecology.
“I was introduced to Sara (Sarantuya B., Outstanding Singer of the Century), she is really nice. I learned about planting flowers and about ethics and many other things while I was visiting the learning stations. I help my parents drawing water and chopping wooden logs. Since I came back from Nairamdal, I am helping my grandma, 85, drawing water for her, chopping wooden logs and helping her to cross the road because she walks with a walking stick,” said Battsetseg, 14, from Khuvsgol province, located 700 km from the capital city.
14 year-old Erbol Nurgul is from Bayan-Ulgii, the western province of 1750 km from the capital city Ulaanbaatar. “I haven’t been to Ulaanbaatar before. I’ve never left Ulgii. It was amazing to fly to Ulaanbaatar city. I have many new friends from other provinces. It was wonderful to meet the popular artists in person who I’ve only watched on TV. I am so thankful to World Vision. Now I have a dream to help many poor children and to make their dreams come true,” said Erbol.
Sarantuya B, the Outstanding Singer of the Century, presented gifts of her newly produced CD ‘Love Gift’ to every child who signed her photo poster. It was the most amazing, unforgettable and unrepeatable moment for every child.