In commemoration of World Children’s Day, the Ruth Isabella Peters Foundation has held a creative poetry workshop designed to strengthen the confidence, self-esteem and expressive abilities of school-aged children.
The workshop, themed “My Voice, My Space” and aligned with the global World Children’s Day theme “My Day, My Rights,” brought together students from Taqwa Schools, Lagos, for an immersive session in poetry and creative writing. The initiative sought to help young learners explore their emotions, identity and personal rights through the written word, while providing a safe space for them to articulate their perspectives.
Hosted at Nahous, Lagos, the event was facilitated by the founder of the Foundation, Ruth Isabella Peters, who guided the children through a series of reflective and interactive writing exercises. Peters, known for her advocacy for youth empowerment and literacy, created an atmosphere described as warm, encouraging and deeply engaging, enabling all the students open up and share their inner thoughts.
A notable moment during the workshop was the presence of the Consul General of Germany to Nigeria, His Excellency Daniel Krull, whose attendance underscored the significance of the event. His visit highlighted Peters’ own German–Nigerian heritage and her commitment to bridging cultures through creative expression and youth development.
One of the core activities of the day involved students selecting a word from a specially curated Word Bank, a collection of powerful and expressive terms intended to spark imagination. Each participant used their chosen word as the basis for crafting an original poem. The exercise encouraged independent thinking, emotional articulation, and creativity. After writing, the children took turns reciting their poems aloud to the group, an experience that helped build public speaking skills, boost confidence, and foster mutual appreciation among their peers.
A key highlight was the unveiling of the Poetry Wall, an installation displaying all the students’ poems. The colourful showcase transformed the room into a gallery of young voices, reinforcing the workshop’s central message that every child’s words carry meaning, beauty, and power.
Speaking on the initiative, Peters said the Foundation remains committed to creating safe, expressive spaces for children. “We believe every child deserves a space where their voice is valued. This workshop allowed them to express their thoughts freely and discover the strength and beauty in their words,” she said.
The event forms part of the Foundation’s broader mission to promote literacy, emotional development and creative expression, ensuring that children have platforms to speak, be heard, and champion their rights.
