(5 minutes read)
Background information
A children’s home is a place where orphaned and vulnerable children are taken care of if their parents are deceased or are proven unfit to take care of them.Most of these children usually have little or no chances of survival without intervention.
Children’s homes are popular in developing nations where there’s extreme poverty.In some countries like the USA , it is rare to find children’s homes because the government started monitoring,supervising and supporting foster parent systems.
Nelson Mandela said that “Each of us as citizens, has a role to play in creating a better world for our children”. Supporting orphaned and vulnerable children is a contribution towards their blazing future.
Are you thinking about visiting a children’s home ? This is a great philanthropic initiative to give back to the community. It is unfortunate that children have to suffer because of the death of parents,domestic violence,war and even abandonment among other reasons.That is why institutions like children’s homes come to their resque.
You might be wondering what kind of activities you can do while visiting a children’s home apart from giving donations. I will first highlight 5 major activities then wrap up with more other activities which you may find unique and helpful.
1.Song and Dance
Song and dance is the number one thing you can get involved in.You can sing and dance many popular songs including the famous “Baby Shark” Dance by Pinkfong while interacting with young children.
Please carry an audible phone or even enhance the experience by carrying a bluetooth speaker.Most homes also have grown up teens who are a little choosy thank’s to their high running hormones.For them, you can research ahead songs liked by teens for example Dance ya Kanisa by Moji short baba.
Prepare your content well.To make the experience worthwhile, allow for song requests like a DJ.Do not share any explicit content with children as this is punishable by law.
2.Drawing
Looking at history, we see that drawing was used as a form of communication before the invention of writing .There are recorded cave and rock paintings around Upper Paleolithic that are between 14,000 years ago and 13,000 years ago.
Drawing is used as a form of communication and expression by children, some of whom cannot express themselves through speaking.It is a favourite activity for the young stars who you will interact with.They tend to like it a lot.
You can purchase drawing books,pencils and colours ahead of your visit.If you have resources, you can spice up this experience by adding water colors which are a bit costly.You will find drawing and related stationeries in major malls and supermarkets across the country.
During the activity, you can tell them to draw their favourite things like cars,houses,people cartoons among others.
3.Reading
How about reading a short story for the young stars? For this activity, you can purchase a short story book.The ideal age would be play group and grade one children. A short story book between 50 to 150 words is ideal.
Story books with illustrations blend well in creating a better imagination for children.To make your session interactive, you can read the story out loud in front of the children, pause then have a question and answer session during or after the story. You can have more candies for every child who answers questions.
4.Mentorship
This is a great opportunity to mentor children about different topics.Mentorship sessions work best for teenagers.There are many topics you can cover in mentorship.Most popular topics are about future career goals,personal development,situational advice,life goals among others.
To make a mentorship session interesting,you can choose to involve a motivational video or a short movie session.If there are no video equipment, you will need a portable projector and a laptop.
Remember to give the teenagers more room for face to face discussions.Be gentle to them.Some of them have a very sad past and they would definitely feel uncomfortable if you get too personal about their past life.Read their faces and know when to change the topic.
5.Games
Outdoor games
This one is interesting.Do you want to sweat yourself during the visit? You will mostly need soccer balls,basketball and skipping ropes.Most children’s homes already have them. You will need to ask from the home’s management in advance to know if you need to provide some sporting equipment.
In Nairobi and other cities in Kenya,the majority of the children’s homes are located in informal settlements. Once you have your equipment ready, you are ready to have fun.Don’t forget to wear light clothes for the activity.You will need a warm up game to get started,You can do the name game or the most popular warm up game in Kenya called Nyama nyama nyama.
Some of the sports you can play are Football,Athletics,rope skipping among others.
Indoor games
Do you want to remain indoors? Maybe all you want is a relaxed but fun time at the children’s home.Puzzle games are ideal for a relaxed but fun visit.The most popular indoor games for children are the dice game,snake and ladder, tic tac toe among others.
You can find puzzle games and cards in most malls and supermarkets.
Certainly! Here are a few more activities you can consider when visiting a children’s home:
Arts and Crafts: Engage the children in creative art projects by providing them with art supplies like colored paper, glue, scissors, and markers. Encourage them to express their creativity through painting, collage-making, or making crafts such as paper masks or origami.
Sports Day: Organize a fun-filled sports day where children can participate in various sports activities and games. Set up relay races, sack races, tug-of-war, or even a mini Olympics. This promotes teamwork, healthy competition, and physical exercise.
Talent Show: Give children a chance to showcase their talents and boost their self-confidence. Organize a talent show where they can sing, dance, perform skits, recite poetry, or showcase any other special skills they possess.
Cooking or Baking: Teach children basic cooking or baking skills by involving them in preparing simple recipes. This activity promotes teamwork, creativity, and helps them develop practical life skills.
Gardening: Initiate a small gardening project where children can learn about plants, gardening techniques, and the importance of environmental conservation. They can plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs, and take responsibility for watering and maintaining the garden.
Movie Watching: Set up a cozy movie event for the children, complete with popcorn and snacks. Choose age-appropriate movies with positive messages and values. This activity provides them with a chance to relax, bond, and enjoy quality entertainment.
Cultural Exchange: Encourage children to share their cultural backgrounds and traditions by organizing a cultural exchange day. They can dress up in traditional attire, share stories, perform traditional dances or songs, and try traditional food.
Science Experiments: Conduct simple and safe science experiments that are both educational and entertaining. Show children how to create volcanoes, make slime, or explore basic principles of physics and chemistry through hands-on activities.
Field Trips: Plan a field trip to a nearby park, zoo, museum, or any other interesting location. This gives children the opportunity to explore and learn outside the confines of the children’s home. You will need to write a formal request for permission from the children’s office.
Life Skills Workshops: Conduct workshops that focus on essential life skills such as communication, problem-solving, time management, and financial literacy. These workshops can empower children with practical knowledge and equip them for the future.
Remember, when engaging in these activities, it’s crucial to prioritize the safety, well-being, and emotional needs of the children. Always coordinate with the children’s home staff and follow their guidelines and recommendations. If you are still looking for a children home to visit, you are welcome to visit Smile Community Centre Children’s Home.
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To support smile community centre children’s home go to : https://smilecommunitycentre.org/donate/
Written By : Peter Wafula