Best Carnival EVER!!!!



I've been to carnivals before but nothing like the one our Stake put on. I can easily say it was theeeee best carnival ever!


 I'll tell you why...
It all started when President Makai (our awesome stake president) created the Makai Reading Initiative (MRI) as a way to encourage our Polynesian children to learn to love learning  through reading.
All the primary children in our stake were given a worksheet where they would color in a block for every 30 minutes of reading they completed. They could complete as many sheets as they liked, turn the sheets in to the Bishop, and then have an interview with both the Bishop and President Makai.
As a reward and incentive for the kids, an MRI carnival was held to celebrate the children's progress.

As someone who did not receive higher education President Makai really wanted to emphasize the importance of education for our primary children, but at the same time show the children how fun and rewarding learning can be. His love for the children was evident in everything he did to make sure the carnival was a success. 



Each child was to be given 10 tickets each to use on the games and rides. Super readers (ones who read the most hours) received extra tickets, but anyone could earn more tickets by reading a book at the reading booth or reciting an Article of Faith. They had several things they could use their tickets on.
The carnival had everything...and I mean everything!!!!
Bouncy house
pony ride
dunk tank
Carnival games
popcorn
shave ice
prizes for the top readers
face painting
volleyball (mostly for the big kids and adults)
basketball
soccer (with those big blowup balls)
and the highlight.....
the FISH POND!!!

It wasn't just an ordinary fish pond with gold fish. No that would have been too easy. President Makai wanted the children to have the experience of catching fish with their hands. So he got a fish pond with trout. And yes all the 200+ trout was gone by the end of the day. 
How the fishpond looked at the end of the day. Don't ask how many fish ended up flopping on the ground. Kalofae da fish. 




I didn't even take them to the fishpond because it was so crazy but somehow they each ended up with their own fish. #dinner #fishnchips #kidsrunningaroundwithfishintheirhands

The wards were assigned spots to set up their tents and each ward pot lucked. Our ward was very organized and worked so well to provide more than enough food for ourselves and anyone that passed by. #O9sofine

As I sat there enjoying my chocolate chunk cookies and sipping on otai I couldn't help but feel so grateful for having amazing leaders and righteous examples right before me. I glanced around and saw a Stake working together for the same purpose and worthy goal. Giving their time and talents for the building of God's kingdom. 

 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.
Moses 7:18 

 I saw Pres. Makai's initiative not only affecting the children but their parents as well. The importance of emphasizing learning and education was becoming a shared responsibility, not just the sole effort of Pres. Makai and those who were in charge. 


I wish I could thank and hug everyone that helped in making the carnival a success cause I know it was no easy task. Looking forward to next year's carnival!
This girl is now super excited to read more. YAY!


Here's some better pics of the carnival (All the credit goes to our RS Pres Gina!)

And as if that wasn't even enough....they brought in ELSA!!!!
OH. MY. LIFE.
The kids went crazy!!!! #screamingfordays


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