Press
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Caribbean Association July 2010 Charity Outreach Activities |
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BY PAUL LOOKKONG |
Shanghai, China, Sunday 11 July 2010 – The early morning sky is grey and overcast with showers threatening in the distance, but nothing could dampen the excitement from the group of 26 AIDS/HIV affected children when they arrived at Gate 3 of the World Expo Shanghai 2010. Every year the Chi Heng foundation organizes a Shanghai excursion for its AIDS/HIV affected kids living in Central China. For most of these impoverished kids whose sad lives have been impacted by parent(s) infected with or died from HIV/AIDS, this will be their very first visit to Shanghai. This year the Caribbean Association in China (CAC) is treating them to a fun day at the World Expo.
Our first stop is the SAIC-GM Pavilion. As the children and volunteers queue to enter the auditorium, an animated movie is playing on the walls showing us how we all can improve our lives with energy efficient vehicles. Soon the doors flew open and we eagerly rushed through to find a seat. Buckling in, we are on our journey “Drive to 2030” which tells a story of three families and how transportation affects their daily lives in a better city in near future 2030. In our “moving” seats, we are able to follow the families and experience their lives. After the movie, the concept cars in the movie debut onto the stage with dancers in futuristic outfits. The kids really enjoyed the whole show, especially the hydraulic moving seats.
The Caribbean Pavilion is our next stop. Since most of the children don’t know where the Caribbean is located, or even knew anything about the islands, we wanted to teach them about the countries using an interactive game. In our “Amazing Race” competition, the kids had to run around to each island to answer questions and perform tasks. The first group to finish won. The kids are excited, darting to and from each country’s booth to find the answers. After the game, Pavilion Director Rhonda Wilson met the kids and invited them to the Pavilion’s beautiful VIP room where representatives from the islands gave out souvenirs including bags, flags, t-shirts, commemorative pins and even bottles of water from Dominica’s “Fountain of Youth” as well as delicious cake from Barbados. Jamaica had prepared a dance performance with some of the kids and volunteers joined in to learn the unique Jamaican dance moves. The vibrant music pumping through the pavilion, Caribbean Sea floor and tropical feeling, combined with the warm welcome received left an undeniable impression on the kids. Their immediate feedback to their chaperones was that the Caribbean people are so kind and happy and friendly.
At the Swedish Pavilion, the Commissioner General Annika Rembe personally welcomed the AIDS/HIV affected children giving each child a special commemorative Sweden World Expo pin and delicious Swedish ginger cookies, as well as introducing them to the wonderful sights of the pavilion. After such a warm welcoming introduction, the kids rushed up the stairs to experience first hand. The innovative displays show before and after scenes from dilapidated areas into vibrant livable spots. Moving on, the kids were able to touch and play with innovative products which made our lives easier and more fun. And lastly the kids were intrigued by such everyday things as swings that designed to generate energy.
The Spanish Pavilion is impressive with its hand-weaved wicker façade and our next scheduled stop. Our Spanish guide informs the kids and volunteers that the pavilion contains three exhibition halls which will take us through the time and space of the development of the cities in Spain with the theme of “From the City of Our Parents to the City of Our Children.” The guided tour begins inside a large dark exhibition hall showing scenes of Spanish culture and heritage with a centre stage where a flamingo dancer is performing with such passion that the kids are fascinated. The second hall shows the daily lives of Spanish people using multiple screens. In the last hall, the highlight is the giant life-like baby which represents future generations. Commissioner General Maria Tena is here to warmly greet the AIDS/HIV affected kids, allowing the kids to get close to the giant baby.
Our last stop is the Italian Pavilion. The whole pavilion embodies Italian art and culture, exhibiting famous luxury brands from a Ferrari California sports car to Prada designed uniforms for the pavilion staff. As soon as the kids entered the pavilion, they went straight to the icon red Ferrari.
With time running out, CAC volunteers had to bid goodbye to the kids. It is bitter sweet farewell - sad to see the kids leaving but happy that they enjoyed their time. However there is always next year when the CAC will again host another group of AIDS/HIV affected kids.
A special thanks to all the pavilions for giving our group VIP passes to enter the pavilions as well as the souvenirs, gifts, commemorative pins, and guided tours. Also the CAC volunteers did an outstanding job of chaperoning the kids.
The Caribbean Association in China (CAC) started in 2007 under the guidance of the Caribbean Embassies in Beijing but is an independent social group which will bring together all the Caribbean Nationals residing in China. The mission of the Association is to “Foster a stronger understanding and appreciation of our Caribbean culture in China, strengthening Sino-Caribbean relations and to serve as a support network for the Caribbean Community in China.” In achieving this goal, the CAC embarks on a number of Charity Outreach activities.