The document discusses organizing a Children's Day event to promote inclusion and friendship between children from diverse backgrounds and circumstances, including those with disabilities. The first edition of the event allowed children to play and interact, showcasing talents of all children. Participant feedback was positive, praising the opportunity for all children to have fun. The organization, MAARDEC Empowerment Centre, aims to empower people with disabilities through mobility aids and inclusive programs.

1. BUILDING BRIDGES OF FRIENDSHIP & HARMONY BETWEEN CHILDREN FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUND AND CIRCUMSTANCES

2. INTRODUCTION Children’s Day is an event celebrated on various days in many places around the world International Children’s Day is celebrated on June1st and Universal Children’s Day is on November 20 th . The holiday is simply set to honour children and minors.

3. Statement of Need Children pick up stigmas about the disabled from society at large. Some parents keep their kids from playing with children with disabilities, and the children pick up this attitude from their parents. Children that are living with disabilities are occasionally made fun of or bullied by their able bodied counterparts.

4. What we intend to do Our aim is to organize a unique Children’s day celebration that will provide inclusive and accessible play opportunities for all, including those with physical, cognitive, and developmental/intellectual disabilities and more importantly educate parents about various disabilities and how to relate with children who suffer from these disabilities and afford children from various backgrounds an opportunity to play and interact with one another and make friends.

5. THE FIRST EDITION The first edition of the programme, was a giant step in the integration and inclusion of persons living with disabilities into the mainstream society and provided a conducive environment for children from diverse backgrounds to play and interact with each other. It was a day filled with fun and games for the children and showcased the inherent talents and gifts embedded in our children.

6. Photo Gallery

7. Photo Gallery

8. Participant Experiences Ndidi Nwoko This is a very good idea, the physically challenged children had so much fun and it made me appreciate the organizers of this program. It’s obvious that they don’t always have as much opportunity as the other children to have fun. I want to thank the management of MAARDEC for giving us this privilege to interact with our fellow children Janet Ifunanya Anaele This programme should be a continous one so as to promote cordial relationship among the challenged children and the regular children Omogunloye G. A. (Mrs) You are doing what many did no see the need to do before now. Well done! Mrs Anaele Agnes

9. Project Description Speeches Interactive Sessions Role Playing Games Group Directed Activities able-bodied children experiencing the world in a manner roughly equivalent to that of the disabled Dancing, funrides, competitions, games and many more.

11. Our Organisation MAARDEC EMPOWERMENT CENTRE MAARDEC, an acronym for Mobility Aid and Appliances Research and Development Centre; founded in 1991 by Mr. Cosmas Okoli (OON), as a non profit organisation. Our mission: ‘To empower people with disabilities through the provision of innovative and affordable mobility aids and appliances and complementary services to ensure that they are socially, economically and politically relevant in society’.

12. MAARDEC BOARD Senator Bode Olajumoke PHD, BL (Chairman) Prof. Dora Akunyili (Grand Patroness) Deaconess (Mrs) Mojisola Abdul Barr. Daniel Onwe (Legal Adviser/Secretary) Mrs. Azuka J. Okoli Mr. Phillip Anunwa Mr. Tony Chinwe Mr. Cosmas I. B. Okoli President/CEO

13. Accomplishments Initiated and organized the first ever Ms Wheelchair Nigeria Pageant on African soil. A pageant aimed at selecting the most accomplished and articulate spokeswoman for the over 20 million Nigerians living with disabilities

14. Accomplishments Contd.... Provision of mobility aids valued at 200 million to over 121,000 indigent persons living with disabilities free of charge through our annual Reach-Out since 1994

15. Accomplishments Contd.... Encouragement and support of establishment of relevant Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) to fast track the mainstreaming of persons with disabilities into mainstream society. One of such organisations is Association for Comprehensive Empowerment of Nigerians with Disability (ASCEND) of which MAARDEC’s President is the National president

16. Conclusion

17. Contact MAARDEC EMPOWERMENT CENTRE 10/11 Sabbath Church Close, Off Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Near Ijesha bus stop (Behind Honda Place), Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos. Phone: 08033193175 08036733140 [email_address] [email_address] www.maardec.net