Cultural Liaison News

Chin National Day Celebrations

On Saturday 17 February our Chin families at MECS were a part of the community celebrations for Chin National Day held in Croydon. This year was the 76th year of celebrations. The day was vibrant and a showcase of food, traditional dance, music and community. It was great to see so many of our Primary and Secondary students wearing traditional dress and joining in on the festivities. 

Chin National Day is celebrated each year on 20 February. Please continue to keep our Chin families and their community in your prayers as the war in Myanmar continues. Many families have relatives and loved ones who are displaced due to civil unrest.

On Tuesday 20 February our staff were treated to a delicious morning tea during recess to raise awareness around Chin culture and identity and to share in the celebrations of Chin National Day at school. We were also able to share some photos from Saturday’s community event and provide an opportunity for new staff to connect with Jenifer Thlaceu and Lily Kingbawl, our Chin Liaison Officers.

Jenny and Lily both came dressed in traditional clothing and brought in cultural artefacts such as beautiful hand woven textiles, silver jewellry and a beaded, feather headpiece. Such intricate detail!

During lunch play many of the Primary and Secondary students spotted Jenifer around the school yard and came running up to have a closer look at her beautiful clothing. We also had a special visit into the JPE Primary classroom with Mrs Woods and Mr Gamble.

During our whole school staff meeting later in the day, our Principal Michelle Dempsey allowed us space to reflect on how we share the love of Christ through the ‘fabric’ of our school community. As we sat at tables laden with the Chin textile fabric, I pondered on how our work in this cross cultural area with our Chin Hakha students and families is a very tangible way of reaching out to those in our immediate area who are vulnerable and rebuilding their lives. This is not an easy ‘yes’ but a challenge and privilege to partner in God’s work of restoring hope and order through Christian education.

Happy Chin National Day to our school community!

Clare Bradbury

Cultural Liaison Coordinator