Sponsored children and their families celebrate Family Day

15 December 2022

Five communities in Datu Odin Sinsuat took part in a festive celebration for sponsored children and their families on November 24, 2022.

The celebration of Family Day is one of the most awaited events of sponsored children and their families.

In 5 communities in Datu Odin Sinsuat, the Barangay Council of Nekitan stepped up to match the level of anticipation surrounding the event. Local officials surprised the sponsored children by conducting a festive celebration last November 24, 2022, complete with parlor games and party clowns.

These activities not only brought the fun, but also served as a form of psychosocial support that children and their families thoroughly enjoyed. 

“Masaya kami na napasaya namin ang mga bata at pamilya nila dahil araw nila ito. Sa susunod na taon, paghahandaan pa namin ito para mas lalong mag-enjoy ang mga kabarangay namin,” said Ms. Pinky Sinsuat, wife of the Barangay Captain in Nekitan.

(Translation: “We’re so glad to be able to cheer up the kids and their families because this is their day. Next year, we will put more effort into preparing for this so our community can enjoy even more.“)

Since the start of its partnership back in 2017, the local government of Nekitan have been actively supporting projects and activities of Plan International and its implementing partner, Kadtuntaya Foundation Inc. Also in attendance during the festivities were representatives from the local elementary school and rural health unit.

The Family Day program further included a refresher about Plan International and its Sponsorship Program. Not only that, the organization also facilitated a distribution of school supplies to all sponsored children.

Two sponsored children receive school supplies during the Family Day celebration
Sponsored children receive school supplies during Family Day

“Napakasaya namin sa event na ito dahil sa mga hinandang laro at papremyo, lalong lalo na [ang mga] dancing clown. Nagpapasalamat din kami sa binigay na mga school supplies. May magagamit na ang anak ko kasi yung dati ay nabasa nung Bagyong Paeng,” says Baijane, a community contact person and mother of a sponsored child.

(Translation: “We were so delighted with this event because of the parlor games and prizes prepared, especially the dancing clown. We’re also grateful for the school supplies given. My kids now have something to use because their old ones got drenched from Typhoon Paeng.”)

Barangay Nekitan was recently affected by Typhoon Paeng which made landfall during the last week of October 2022. Similar to Baijane, many households in the community had to deal with the damages that resulted from flooding. But on a day such as Family Day, smiles are abound and spirits are high—making this a short but truly meaningful time of celebration for children and their families.

Education, Emergencies, Sponsorship

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