At Kids & Teens Resource Centre (K&TRC), we believe that every child deserves a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive. This commitment was once again demonstrated during the 2026 Children’s Day celebration held at the International Market Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Makurdi, Benue State.
In collaboration with UNICEF, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Benue State Ministry of Health, His Marvelous Grace Support Foundation (HMGSF), and other partners, K&TRC joined hundreds of displaced children, caregivers, community members, and stakeholders in a memorable celebration dedicated to promoting the wellbeing, inclusion, and happiness of children living in displacement.
Creating Moments of Joy for Vulnerable Children
For children affected by displacement, opportunities for recreation, self-expression, and celebration are often limited. Recognizing the importance of preserving the joy and innocence of childhood, K&TRC partnered with other organizations to create an atmosphere where children could feel valued, appreciated, and empowered.
The event provided a platform for children to participate in fun, educational, and cultural activities while strengthening their sense of belonging and community.
K&TRC’s Contribution to the Celebration
As part of our contribution to the successful implementation of the Children’s Day programme, K&TRC provided black-and-white wrappers used for the children’s cultural dance performances, donated footballs to encourage sports and recreational activities within the camp, and made a financial contribution towards the organization of the event and children’s presentations.
Leading the K&TRC team at the event was our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Martin Mary Falana, who joined fellow stakeholders in celebrating with the children and reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to advancing child protection, education, health, and psychosocial wellbeing for vulnerable children and adolescents.
Celebrating Talent, Culture and Resilience
The Children’s Day celebration featured a variety of engaging activities, including a colourful march past, cultural dance presentations, spoken word performances, poetry recitations, drama displays, gospel music renditions, and dance performances by children from different sections of the camp.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of traditional Tiv cultural dances, including the Viha Tiv Cultural Dance, Swange Tiv Cultural Dance, and the Happy Youth Tiv Dance. These performances showcased the rich cultural heritage of Benue State while providing children with an opportunity to express themselves creatively and confidently.
The event also featured exciting performances by younger children whose enthusiasm and talent drew admiration and applause from guests and participants.
Supporting the Wellbeing of Displaced Children
Beyond the celebrations and entertainment, the event served as an important reminder of the need to continue supporting displaced children through access to education, healthcare, protection services, psychosocial support, and recreational opportunities.
Throughout the day, children participated actively in the various activities, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter, excitement, and hope. For many of them, the celebration provided a welcome opportunity to experience the joy of childhood despite the challenges associated with displacement.
Strengthening Partnerships for Greater Impact
K&TRC remains grateful to UNICEF, SEMA, the Ministry of Health, HMGSF, volunteers, community leaders, and all partners whose collaboration contributed to the success of the event.
The celebration highlighted the power of partnership in improving the lives of vulnerable children and reinforced the importance of sustained collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, and humanitarian actors.
Our Commitment
At Kids & Teens Resource Centre, we remain committed to creating opportunities that promote the safety, wellbeing, development, and inclusion of children and adolescents, especially those facing difficult circumstances.
As we celebrated Children’s Day with the children of the International Market IDP Camp, we were reminded that every child deserves protection, dignity, love, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Together, we can continue to build a future where every child has hope and every child has a chance to thrive.