WINDHOEK, Namibia — Laughter and curiosity filled the grounds of the SOS Children's Villages in Windhoek, capital of Namibia, on Saturday as children gathered around tables covered with bamboo leaves, sticky rice, and colorful threads, embarking on a cultural journey that carried them thousands of kilometers away to China.
For many of the children, it was their first encounter with the ingredients and traditions of China's Dragon Boat Festival. Under guidance, small hands carefully folded bamboo leaves around sticky rice to make zongzi, the festival's signature delicacy. Others threaded colorful bracelets around their wrists or examined fragrant sachets, eager to learn the stories and blessings embedded in these customs.
The event, themed "Sharing the Warmth of the Dragon Boat Festival, Promoting Health and Wellbeing", was organized by the China Henan International Cooperation Group, or CHICO, together with the 17th batch of the Chinese medical team in Namibia.
Home to orphaned and vulnerable children, the SOS Children's Villages provides family-like care, education, and support. On this occasion, it became a vibrant venue for cultural exchange, where Chinese festive traditions met gestures of care and friendship.
