Chinese Dragon Boat Festival brings cultural exchange, care to vulnerable Namibian children

WINDHOEK, June 13 — 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 the 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 centuries-old customs.

Guan Hao, leader of the 17th Chinese medical team in Namibia, gives a health check to a child at the SOS Children’s Villages in Windhoek, Namibia, June 13, 2026. (Xinhua/Lin Jing)

The event, themed “Sharing the Warmth of the Dragon Boat Festival, Promoting Health and Well-being,” was organized by the China Henan International Cooperation Group (CHICO) together with the 17th batch of the Chinese medical team in Namibia. It combined cultural exchange with community outreach, offering children a glimpse into Chinese traditions and access to free healthcare services.