Yesterday, 26th of January, 2012 witnessed a contest of talent and creativity among the rural children of Ekinama community, tucked away in the creeks of Niger Delta.

About twenty-five (25) kids, of ages ranging between 6 and 12 assembled at the village primary school. These kids are the few whose parents value education, while the other village kids followed their parents to the creeks either to fish or farm.

Since there were no desks or chairs available in the school, some of the children gathered wooden benches and plastic chairs from a nearby church, while others took to the floor.

As a result of  the kids’ level of education, a drawing contest (being a more visual and imaginative activity) was organized for the kids. They were asked to illustrate “A fisherman at Ekinama Waterside”; and although it took them a while to complete the task, they were all given ample time to express themselves without haste.

In order to make the grading process more transparent as well as exciting for the kids, it was agreed that each participant should come out and show his/her drawing before the other kids, while the audience would inturn signify their approval of the presented work by raising up their hands and the numbers would then be counted.

This process took a little while, as it became so exciting and amusing to the kids. Some of them even took  advantage of the opportunity to make fun of their friends’ poor drawing abilities.

At the end of the presentation and voting process, Queen emerged as the first winner of Naijatreks Young Writers’ Contest 2011.

-Queen, the first winner of Naijatreks Travel Writer 2012.

Queen got a branded Naijatreks bag pack, while every other participant got a copy of My Niger Delta Paint Book, an initiative of Ntreks Tourism and O’ Studiolabs Uk. The paint book project is aimed at awakening the consciousness of the rural kids of Niger Delta to the beautiful riverine environment surrounding them.

The children sang and danced ecstatically as they took photos with their drawings and paint books. The day ended with a visit to Queen’s house, where the talented girl and her mum posed for a beautiful creek side photos.

-Queen, the winner posing with her Naijatreks branded bag pack

– Queen and her mum.

The Contest- Draw “A Fisherman at Ekinama Waterside”:

-Benches are limited, some of the kids had to sit on the floor.

– This kid decided to draw a house, although she was asked to draw a fisherman.

The Voting Process: “If you like her drawing, raise up your hand!”

- 6 kids like her drawing

– 5 kids like his drawing.

The result- Queen gets the highest number of fans

                                             – Her prize: Naijatreks branded bag pack

Everyone gets something too: My Naija Delta Paint Book  by Naijatreks

– Kids running home to show their parents their Niger Delta Paint Books

Related Posts:
- Naijatreks Young Writers’ Contest 2012 Hits the Shores of Ekinama Island, Niger Delta 

- Amazing!!! Winners of Naijatreks Young Writers’ Contest 2011

Filed under: Inspiration, Naijatreks Young Writers Contest