We are most fulfilled when we devote our time to the children…”
On
Wednesday, the 20th of July, 2016, the wary streets of Bariga, Lagos
was lighted up by the presence of the voluntary activity carried on by
the Child Hero Empowerment Team who held their monthly workshop for the
month of July at the Footprints of David Art Academy, Bariga.
To
mark the 3rd edition of their Child Development Workshop, the CHEC Team
seized the opportunity to educate and entertain the children on living a
skillful and successful life by building their talent at the
foundational level and also taking advantage of their educational
opportunities to groom themselves into skillful and resourceful
individuals.
The
workshop brought together as usual, motivational speakers and poets
whose varying fields cut across different areas of the arts. The
children at the footprints of David trooped into their living room and
began chanting African folksongs in excitement as the CHEC Team and
guests who came to support, made their way into the midst of the
children.
The
theme of the workshop – “Education and Talent: Gateway to a Future”
soothed the workshop for the children were a bundle of talents indeed!
Among them were a good number of dancers, drummers, acrobats, singers,
orators, poet, writers and dramatist.
Spontaneous radio producer, photojournalist and spoken word poet; Uche Uwadinachi,
who in his usual proficiency unwraps the session with his appealing
“moni moni” folk-tale song, afterwards educating the children of the
academy with its morals.
Afterwards, chief guest speaker Mr. Amobi Q Okeke,
an events, Media & SME consultant, specialist in Audience
engagement and founder of Q-Prime in an unassuming entrance began his
session with a Tongue twisting test, and a price tag attached to it.
His lecture hinged on fundamentals of Education as a catalyst for
grooming inherent abilities and the importance of a well nurtured
talent, and rounded off by making the children select each letter from
the word EDUCATION, which he brilliantly gave a definition to in his own
words.
On special appearance also was Sunsampaul Egwu'Philosopher,
whose admirable persona didn’t go unnoticed as he began his session by
throwing questions at random to the children on the social status of
Nigeria, and in turn rewarded them with copies of his folktale book
titled: IKENNA AND THE ZEBRA. Then he passionately watered their ears
with his inspiring poems “Full of Hope” and “Save the Slum”.
Poet, event planner and motivational speaker and member of the CHEC team; Babatunde Segun Odubanwo,
wielded his session by tutoring the children on the benefits of
education and living a life of focus and diligence, whilst taking them
on a journey of imitable historical icons.
Spoken
word artiste and speaker FreezinPaul rendered a short but inspiring
address to the children, using the Acronym “PISS” to motivate them. He
gave the children a new understanding of the word “PISS” which for him
means– Patience, Inspiration, Savings and Service, four of which upholds
the age long philosophy of starting small and earning greatly.
Unforgettably,
the sagacious poet, Ifeanyi Bernard “Prestige” enticed the workshop in
the nick of time with his riveting piece “LOVE”, reminding through his
lines that "Truth without Love is Hypocrisy".
As the workshop rolled to its end, CHEC’s initiator & founder, Chinonye J. Chidolue
seized the moment to appreciate the children for their spontaneity,
zeal and creativity irrespective of their relegating environs. She
applauded them for how far they’ve come and encouraged them to discover
their true passion and never depart from it.
The
progenitor of the Footprint of David art academy, Seun Awobajo
appreciated the members of the CHEC team and speakers alike for the
wonderful arm of love extended to the children and beckoned on more of
such time and effort offered to them.
The workshop sifted into a beautiful end as the children in turn gave us a grand traditional dance performance.
Footprints
of David is a thriving art academy established in 2005 by Oluwaseun
Awobajo with the aim of putting smiles on people’s face via the
promotion and preservation of the rich culture of Nigeria, and this
could not have been better achieved without the children.
The
academy which has trained and supported over 20 children members, are
known for their numerous outstanding art projects bringing them before
Nigeria’s top authorities as Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Prof. Wole Soyinka,
State Governors and icons in the entertainment industry.
The
Child Hero Empowerment Campaign Team are again thankful for the
successful completion of the 3rd edition of their Child Development
Workshop as they look forward to lending more of their time, skills and
support in future workshops to come. We say thank you to the guests who
made it to support us at the Footprints of David Academy, worthy to be
mentioned are – The Nation Newspaper, Okon Bassey, Chidinma Licia and Uche Uwadinachi. We truly appreciate your time and support!
Once
again, we encourage you to please support the footprints of David
Academy who are doing their best to nurture talented and artistically
creative children. Invest in their talent and you would have invested in
their future!
"In serving the best interests of children, we serve the best interests of all humanity." -- Carol Bellamy
Do
you wish volunteer with us? Support or become a sponsor for our
project? We need you to support us in changing and impacting on the
lives of the children. Kindly reach us at projectchildhero@gmail.com Or call Ifeanyi Bernard on +2348032124263
Chinonye J. Chidolue
Founder/Executive Director CHEC
PHOTOS FROM THE LAST EDITION
