Vietnamese peacekeepers bring International Children’s Day to Abyei

PANO - On the occasion of International Children’s Day (June 1), officers and personnel of Vietnam’s Engineering Company Rotation 3 at the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) brought smiles and joy to disadvantaged children in this conflict-affected region by organizing a meaningful celebration at Highway Base.

Vietnamese blue berets spread culture in Abyei

Imprint of Vietnamese female “blue beret” in Abyei

A working day of Vietnamese engineering troops in Abyei

Vietnamese soldiers instructing children how to make toys from recycled materials

Hundreds of gift packages, including candies, toys, notebooks, coloring pencils, and more, were thoughtfully prepared for local children, many of whom live in extreme poverty and insecurity.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Le Hong Giang, Political Commissar of Engineering Company Rotation 3, the event was modest but full of meaning. The Vietnamese team, in collaboration with colleagues from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security, organized gift-giving activities, sweet treats, and creative workshops where children learned to make toys from recycled materials.

Using old newspapers, plastic bottles, nylon bags, and aluminum cans, the children crafted kites, pinwheels, toy cars, boats, and animal figures, an activity that sparked creativity, promoted environmental awareness, and brought joyful excitement to their daily lives.

This initiative continued the tradition started by Engineering Companies Rotation 1 and 2 of spreading love to the children of Abyei during International Children’s Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival, leaving a positive impression on the local community. Engineering Company Rotation 2 had previously organized a movie screening, giving many local children their first-ever experience watching animated films.

Due to Abyei’s ongoing security instability, community activities, especially those for children, are extremely rare. Most children in the area suffer from a lack of basic necessities such as clean water, food, medical care, and education. Many live in makeshift tents under the scorching sun, without proper shelter, shoes, school supplies, or even access to storybooks. For most children in Abyei, International Children’s Day, a global celebration of love and care for children, remains an unfamiliar concept.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Eka Shinta, Chief of the Civil-Military Coordination Office at UNISFA, the Vietnamese-led event was a deeply meaningful celebration. It not only brought joy to local children but also encouraged greater community engagement and inspired UNISFA to organize similar events in the future. He added that the participation of U.N. peacekeeping forces demonstrates UNISFA’s commitment to supporting the local population.

Among the delighted participants was Rebeca Garang, a sixth-grade student. She said, “I’m so happy! I had a chance to visit the Highway Base, play games, eat candy, drink juice, and make many beautiful toys. I really love the Vietnamese soldiers!”

Through sincere acts of kindness and small but deeply meaningful gestures, the Vietnamese peacekeepers in Abyei are playing an essential role in promoting the image of Vietnam as a nation rich in compassion, humanity, and responsibility.