Chinese Embassy Throws Christmas Party For Kids Learning Chinese

On Friday, December 16, 2022, children from five (5) schools in Freetown displayed their talents in honor of their first Small Small Chinese (SSC) Christmas Party. The atmosphere was full of fun and laughter filled the air.

The Christmas party was hosted by Excel Day Care and Academy with assistance from the Chinese Embassy in Freetown and targeted over 150 children from different schools who are learning the Chinese language. It was organized by the Sierra Leone China Friendship Association’s Small Small Chinese (SSC) section.

The Chinese Embassy’s Head of Political Section, HU Aimin, and Political Officer GE Yao attended the celebration and interacted with the children while expressing confidence in the development of the Chinese language in the nation.

HU Aimin expressed satisfaction to be part of the kids’ celebration as he was happy to witness the smiling smiles of the kids. He noted that during his boyhood days such opportunity where not there for them as kids.

He used the occasion to commend SSC for their efforts in encouraging young people in Sierra Leone to learn Chinese.

“The Chinese language is one of the most difficult in the world, but it is also the most fascinating language, so this is a worthy cause. I urge you to put in a lot of work in your studies since, with SSC’s help, you will be able to learn the language gradually.

Mr. Hu went on to say that the Chinese Embassy is sponsoring Small Small Chinese because it will encourage more individuals to learn the language.

He revealed that SSC is working with more partners to increase communication between China and Sierra Leone, including the Confucius Institute and the Ministry of Education.

“The Embassy is delighted to witness the program’s continued success. Let’s work together to expand and strengthen this program because our hearts are with you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to each and every one of you, he remarked.

SSC is growing, according to one of the school’s spokespeople, Janet Sefoi of Jarwlee Lewis School.

“We want to remove that barrier so that there won’t be one for the kids to cross when they travel to China,” she said.

She praised SiLCHA and the Chinese Embassy for enabling interaction with the children and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share the Christmas spirit with them.

“We will keep moving forward to do the good work by growing not only in Freetown but all around Sierra Leone,” she affirmed.

Chinese language instruction for everyone is a goal of the SiLCHA, according to its chairperson, Onike King. She expressed her gratitude to Mariatu Kargbo, the founder of SiLCHA& SSC, for having the passion to overcome the linguistic barrier between the two nations.

Mrs. King continued by saying that they decided to start with the children if they wanted to make things work.

She outlined how, thanks to a cooperation with the Confucius Institute and the Chinese Embassy, they started with one school last year and have grown to five this academic year.

She emphasized that Maria has accomplished a lot because she is the driving force behind the project.

“We are going school to school and bringing the Chinese language to the people’s doorsteps,” she stated.

The children interacted with one another while playing a variety of games, such as singing and dancing competitions.