On Christmas Eve, Mile 7 Park came alive with laughter, excitement, and the simple joy of children being children. For the second consecutive year, young community leader Kodjo Deynoo organized a special gathering for children. An event born out of a deep desire to restore something many of us feel we’ve lost: community.
Kodjo reflects on how, growing up, everyone knew one another. Neighbours were familiar faces, and children grew up together. Today, that sense of togetherness is fading. This event, he explains, is his way of recreating that atmosphere—giving children a shared space to meet, play, and form memories together.
What makes the initiative even more powerful is its inclusivity. Kodjo believes that fun for children should never be divided by wealth. While many activities in the city are priced beyond the reach of ordinary families, this Christmas Eve gathering was intentionally made affordable so that every child, regardless of background, could take part.
The overwhelming turnout, parents trusting the vision, and children showing up in numbers, was deeply emotional for him. “It’s a blessing,” he says, pointing to the joy on the children’s faces as proof that the effort is worth it.
AFCON 2025 : Nigeria, Senegal bag wins as Benin stumble
The event has also grown organically. What started as a simple idea at home has now become a seasonal project, improving with each edition. Lessons from the first year shaped the second, and plans are already forming for an even bigger and better third season.
Importantly, Kodjo is quick to emphasize that this is not a one-man effort. Friends, colleagues, and members of the community came together, contributing time, resources, and support. It is, in his words, “a manifestation of a greater group of people who believe in doing something good for children.”
As feedback continues to pour in from parents and residents, one thing is clear: initiatives like this matter. They remind us that sometimes, all it takes to change a community is a simple idea, a big heart, and the willingness to bring people together, especially for the sake of the children.
