2018年CRI Zimbabwean orphans enjoy Chinese Spring Festival celebrations at Chinese embassy（在线收听）

A group of orphans were invited to the Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe to share the happiness of traditional Chinese New Year and Spring Festival celebrations.

CRI's correspondent in southern Africa, Gao Junya, brings us the story.

At an open house event held at the Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe, 40 local orphans were invited to join embassy staff in celebrations for the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival.

The orphans are being helped by Dzikwa Trust, a charity foundation dedicated to the wellbeing of vulnerable local children.

China's ambassador to Zimbabwe, Huang Ping, says he's visited Dzikwa Trust several times and wants to share the joy of the Chinese New Year with these special kids. He says that young people are one of the foundations on which the two countries can further develop bilateral ties.

"By inviting you here, the aim is to enhance the good friendship. As young Zimbabweans, you could become an ambassador, a bridge to bring Chinese and Zimbabwean people together. Because a good relationship between countries require good foundation of people's understanding. So whatever you do in the future, you could always be an ambassador to help make this friendship stronger."

As well as being introduced to the traditional celebration for the Spring Festival, the children enjoyed experiencing other parts of Chinese culture, such as making dumplings, preparing tea, and writing calligraphy.

Seppo Ainamo, the founder and program director of Dzikwa Trust, says the event is an eye-opener for the kids.

"It has been a fantastic opportunity for our children to learn new things and see that there are other things in the world. This has really been an eye-opening experience."

Founded in 1992, Dzikwa Trust is providing assistance to more than 400 orphans.

China's embassy also donated goods including groceries, satchels, and shoes to the orphans at the event.