|
Summary First day: Children and youth came together at the National Museums of Kenya. They shared their concerns and wishes for the future with one another in workshops. H.W. Mayor of Nairobi invited mayors and municipal leaders from four countries to the Mayor’s Parlor. The High Commission of Uganda and the Children’s Special Guest of Honour Astronaut Loren Acton attended. A Promise to the Children was prepared. Second Day was the Great Day at the Mother Tree – The Children’s Meeting Place at the United Nations. Speakers at the Official Opening of the Celebration were children, youth, Unicef, Unep, UN Habitat, the Swedish Embassy, H.W. Mayor of Nairobi and Astronaut Loren Acton. Representatives of 6 nations came together; Kenya, Malaysia, Sweden, Tanzania, Uganda and USA. Messages from the God Mother, also the Patron of the Celebration, Ms Inga Bjork-Klevby, the Swedish and Norwegian Children’s Ombudsman brought perspectives of the Rights of the Child to the Celebration. A message from the Prime Minister closed the Official Opening. The play My Life was performed by children and youth sharing life experiences living in the streets and the slum and inspired the seven seminars. In a special ceremony, children united water and soil from places they care for. It was a moving honor of The Mother Tree and the 20 Children’s Meeting Places which have been inaugurated during these ten years. In the end, all were given a Gold Medal reminding everyone: When we work together we are all winners! Third day: H.W. Mayor of Nairobi officially presented the Cypress Tree next to the City Hall to be the Children’s Meeting Place of Nairobi. The Cypress Tree is also Nairobi Christmas Tree – known to most people. The Closing Ceremony of the celebration was a tree planting in Uhuru Park in memory of two close friends of the Globetree - Nobel Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai and Globetree advisor Mr. Börje Berglund - both passed away short before the anniversary. SPECIAL THANKS TO: All volunteers who worked day and night with great spirit! H.W. Former Mayor of Nairobi, Cllr Joe Akech who opened many doors for the celebration. Mr Boyd Oyier who participated in the planning and execution of the event for almost a year! We thank a hard working friend for the years we had together and wish him success in his art work and future plans of work with and for children. Ananthakrishnan at UN Habitat for your advice at all hours and Leah Macharia at UNEP for your hard work for the UN Day, The Malaysian delegation coming like Father Christmas with event bags, printed materials, banners, certificates and T-shirts! The Swedish delegation came with clothes and presents for the Christmas Celebration to 150 children and lap tops. The Kenyan, Tanzanian and Uganda delegation brought spirit and fun for the 3-days celebration. Astronaut Loren Acton and his wife Evelyn – travelled far to meet the children’s wish; - We want an astronaut to be here! AND OF YOU – NOT MENTIONED - WHO CAME IN AND GAVE A HAND! AND THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS - Nairobi Water supporting the event with finance and Nairobi Sports House Ltd. supporting with Gold Medals to all. |