Posted by Sara Coggins, Kids Connection Manager
This morning we had the joy of celebrating New Years with our younger children's groups at Saramoldaeva orhanage - about 18 children. New Years in Kazakhstan is a huge holiday. The staff and children created an entire production, complete with games and different New Year's characters.
The morning started with the children entering the room and doing a dance around the tree. Also, many of the children said New Year's poems.
Then a cat and wolf came and tried to steal the tree, because they needed money. Under the tree they found a golden key, so they left the tree and took the key instead. The children were happy because their tree was not taken.
Then Santa and his helper (a snow fairy) came. They gave children their good wishes and played some games with them. Santa has a broom that he flies on, so he gave all the children rides on the broom. Santa then realized that he forgot his bag of gifts and then left to find it.
In the meantime the winter witch came. Usually the witch tries to do things to ruin New Years, but this time she just wanted to join the party with her four little friends. Her four little friends did a dance for us.
Santa came back pulling a sled with gifts. Santa saw the witch and tried to kick her out of the party, but the children told Santa it was okay - they weren't scared. So, the witch opened the bag of gifts only to find one of the children dressed up as a cow. Santa was bringing in the year of the cow (2009). Later Santa brought out another bag of gifts.
This ended the party - except for a time for the children to dance and for us to give gifts to each child.
Most New Year's parties have a somewhat similar story. All of them include Santa, the snow fairy, and a witch. I hope you enjoyed seeing what a normal children's New Year's party is like here in Kazakhstan.
