International Mud Day
It’s International Mud Day and We’re all in it together!
June 29th has been celebrated as International Mud Day since 2009, in numerous countries around the world, but in Meningie, South Australia, every day is “mud day”! Read on to find out why?
So What’s International Mud Day All About?
Reports indicate that at a world forum for Early Childhood Care and Education, attendees were discussing ways to get children involved in ‘hands on’ activities relating to nature.
During this discussion it was specifically identified that children in Nepal and Kids in Australia have vastly different reasons for not being able to “play in the mud”, highlighting differences in economic advantage and hence opportunity, as well as the impact of varying environs.
The concept of ‘playing in the mud’ has since been adopted as a means of communicating and exploring context, promoting the healthy celebration of both the differences and sameness of all young children, with a view to fostering unity across a global community.
But how has the concept of children playing in the mud on International Mud Day made a difference?
The discussion that began in 2009, led to a fund raising initiative that generated much needed proceeds for children living in an orphanage in Nepal. Aussie kids were able to raise money for the orphaned children to receive access to food and clothing.
Having a second set of clothes meant that the carers were able to allow their children to engage in a ‘play in the mud day’!
Acknowledgement of the many positive outcomes of this collaboration for both the children and the stakeholders involved, has seen International mud day grow into an opportunity for young children all over the world, to recognise and celebrate what we all have in common despite our many differences; we all like to play with, or in mud!
Why is everyday Mud day in Meningie?
Meningie in South Australia takes its’ name from the Ngarrendjerri word Menengeng, which means ‘Muddy Place’.
Meningie is situated on the banks of Lake Albert, the second of two large Lakes known as the Lower Lakes, the first being Lake Alexandrina, into which the mighty Murray spills.
While the town was probably named because of the black silt that washes up everywhere along the lake edges, a sticky black mud that, penetrates everything, it is apt that a town with such diverse ethnicities should be known as ‘muddy place’.
Anyone that makes Meningie their home, surely contends with the truth that no matter what, we are all the same when we are covered in mud!
People like that about Meningie.
Isa Brown June 2024
