Karachi Down Syndrome Program Carnival 2020

A family carnival specially arranged to raise awareness of the value of lives of the mentally challenged ones of our society, as well as to generate funds for the services KDSP provides.

The Kids Down Syndrome Program (KDSP) arranged a carnival, here in Karachi, on Sunday, 16^th of February 2020, which was a huge success. It was a perfect Sunday evening, where friends and families could enjoy a day full of joy, laughter and excitement. It was specially held on the 16^th February to celebrate the World Down Syndrome day which falls on 21^st of March, provided that the PSL, Pakistan Super League is going to start and would occupy the Karachiites for the whole month of March.

The event was a massive one and was sponsored by Tibet fruit soap, Peak Freans, Froze1888, Hilton Pharma, Image, National Food, Spar Principal, Bodybeat, Impact, ARY News, FM 91, Careem, Espresso and Yayvo Tickets. It was exclusively organized under the supervision of DHA sports Club and Pakistan Defence Officers Housing Authority.

The carnival, which started off at 3:00 pm, was one of its kind with beautiful décor in the Moin Khan Academy, DHA Sports Club ground located in Phase VIII, a perfect venue, considering the entry ticket, which was of Rs. 500, making sure to have a decent crowd who can come and enjoy with their families and have a good time with their kids. Even though the whole event was organized under the name of KDSP but not only the families of the Down syndrome were there but also the ones who wanted to enjoy a good evening, away from the normal hustle bustle of their lives.

As you enter you get to enjoy this special ride of the train that’s there for the kids to get attracted but further inside you could see so much more, including kids rides and games in which they could win and get goody bags from the other stall.

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The carnival was bustling with activities for kids and for the adults, who ever wanted to enjoy being a kid again. Kids were hosting games with new brilliant concepts and with regular things like nuts and bolts. There were so many arts and crafts activities that mesmerized the public at large. The stalls there made mentally challenged people to work with simple things and putting only those simple things together to make something beautiful and astounding.

Activities such as personalizing of cloth bags, and T-shirts of all sizes with your own design template with stencils and labeling it with your name. Making a broche with simple cut out felt pieces and decorating them with different kinds of beads, sequins and ribbons thrilled the kids as they made something wonderful out the ordinary things on the table. Creating a beautiful wall-hanging of the initial of your name and decorating it with borders was yet another amazing activity. Young kids love such activities, get their elders acknowledgements for the wonderful piece of art they created.

The main stage performances included an interactive magic show with a juggler’s act, followed by a hilarious puppet show, with a message for the general public and a Dance Competition of the kids who were willing to participate on the world most famous song of Shakira: “waka waka”.

The Veritas Learning School had beautifully arranged a mindfulness session for the young and old, such much needed sessions are extremely rare in Pakistan, as there is limited awareness to what mindfulness actually is. It was thoroughly enjoyed by the visitors, as it enhanced all your senses and took you in a different world altogether

The carnival held a Kahani Ghar which is more like theater where you can feast your ears and eyes with stories, dialogues of which were delivered by the renowned as well as upcoming Pakistani actors of the theater and media industry. The shows started by 4pm and were precisely finished at 8, the time at which the carnival was to be closed down, as the following day was Monday and kids had school!

There were stalls that were set up by the institutes that offer vocational training to make the mentally challenged ones really challenge their creative art work. They stalls displayed creative wall hangings, handmade and beautifully decorated envelops, perfectly designed jewelry, crochet bags and table mats. All these were beautifully made very reasonably priced, that one would feel privileged to buy such delicate pieces of creativity.

Overall the carnival was a huge success, the shows, the recreational activities, the display of items made by the mentally and physically challenged and some with mental disorders. Their work was exceptional and truly remarkable. Most of it was so unique making one rethink and re-inquire if it really was made by whom we are being told about.