Over 300 children, along with their parents and guardians, joined Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, in a fun-filled carnival yesterday to mark World Children’s Day 2024.
Organised by the Brunei Paediatric Society (BPS) in collaboration with Suri Seri Begawan Hospital, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the event was held at the Brunei Shell Recreation Club (BSRC) grounds.
Aligned with this year’s World Children’s Day theme ‘For Every Child, Every Right,’ the carnival focused on raising awareness on child safety.
Among the activities, an art competition saw more than 130 children aged six to 16 participate across three age categories: six to eight years, nine to 12 years, and 13 to 16 years. The completed artworks were displayed at the carnival, and the winners were announced later in the day, with prizes presented by the minister.
Paediatricians also conducted three informative sessions on child safety for parents and caregivers.
Another highlight of the carnival was a two-kilometre fun run, in which the minister also participated, followed by various games such as matching games, fishing games, and bouncy castles.
Several vendors added to the carnival’s atmosphere with food, drinks, and merchandise, including colourful animal balloons that delighted the children throughout the event.
Observed annually by the United Nations on November 20, World Children’s Day fosters international collaboration to protect children’s rights and prioritise their well-being globally. – Daniel Lim
