Its hard to find words to describe the feeling you get when you see the work you've done achieve full realization. Nothing could have prepared me for what I would feel when seeing the children of Kindergarten Rainbow fully utilize everything we had worked so hard for. It was more than elation , more than fulfillment, more than gratification. All I can say is that everything was worth it.
During the last day we spent in Armenia, Hasmik and I (Margarita) visited the kindergarten one last time. It was a Friday and by this time the kindergarten had been in operation for an entire week. Thirty two children from ages 4 to 5 were in attendance. We arrived at noon during their nap time. No description is suited enough to describe just how precious it was to see children napping in the room we spent so much time in--perfecting, beautifying, making it as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. As I strolled around the room taking pictures a few of the children awakened from the noises of my camera and soon their chitter-chatter awoke the rest of the children. One by one they opened their dewy eyes to a stranger in their already beloved napping room. A few of the children were brave and did not shy away from my camera. They began to tell me about their experiences in the past week. What they've learned, what games they've been playing, and how much they love attending the kindergarten.
Their sleepy eyes sparkled as they told me about their favorite toys, how much they enjoyed the food and even nap time. After I helped them get dressed they assembled in the main room and began playing with Legos, a few recited poems that they learned, and others posed for pictures. Their teacher showed me their drawings, their Play Doh creations, and how she was utilizing the different teaching tools we purchased. She told me about the students' progress and how hard it was for some of the students to adjust to being away from home. Than she lead a group activity were the children counted, recited the colors and letters.
As I continued to interact with the children Hasmik discussed administrative manners with the principle and other employees. They discussed things such as how they travel to the city of Vanadzor to retrieve supplies and food. How they cook and keep the spaces clean to meet all the requirements and what their daily schedule is like. It was evident that they were excited and driven to make the kindergarten an ideal place for the children to grow and to learn.
Our trip culminated with meeting the parents who had come to pick up their children. They expressed their gratitude for the kindergarten and told us how productively they spent their newly found free time. This was amazing to hear because our plan for the kindergarten was not only for the children, it was also for the parents. We knew how hard it must be to lead a village life, and how much harder it becomes when your children do not have an enriching place to spend their childhood. These parents are now able to better take care of their everyday chores, and maybe spend a little time taking care of themselves.
I am not sure how to end this post because a part of me realizes that this isn't the end for the kindergarten. We have bigger plans, we want to do more. There is still so much to provide to these children, to these villagers, that we cannot simply stop here. We will continue to do more. But for now we say goodbye to the children of Tsaghkaber and hope that we will have the opportunity to return again.
During the last day we spent in Armenia, Hasmik and I (Margarita) visited the kindergarten one last time. It was a Friday and by this time the kindergarten had been in operation for an entire week. Thirty two children from ages 4 to 5 were in attendance. We arrived at noon during their nap time. No description is suited enough to describe just how precious it was to see children napping in the room we spent so much time in--perfecting, beautifying, making it as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. As I strolled around the room taking pictures a few of the children awakened from the noises of my camera and soon their chitter-chatter awoke the rest of the children. One by one they opened their dewy eyes to a stranger in their already beloved napping room. A few of the children were brave and did not shy away from my camera. They began to tell me about their experiences in the past week. What they've learned, what games they've been playing, and how much they love attending the kindergarten.
Their sleepy eyes sparkled as they told me about their favorite toys, how much they enjoyed the food and even nap time. After I helped them get dressed they assembled in the main room and began playing with Legos, a few recited poems that they learned, and others posed for pictures. Their teacher showed me their drawings, their Play Doh creations, and how she was utilizing the different teaching tools we purchased. She told me about the students' progress and how hard it was for some of the students to adjust to being away from home. Than she lead a group activity were the children counted, recited the colors and letters.
As I continued to interact with the children Hasmik discussed administrative manners with the principle and other employees. They discussed things such as how they travel to the city of Vanadzor to retrieve supplies and food. How they cook and keep the spaces clean to meet all the requirements and what their daily schedule is like. It was evident that they were excited and driven to make the kindergarten an ideal place for the children to grow and to learn.
Our trip culminated with meeting the parents who had come to pick up their children. They expressed their gratitude for the kindergarten and told us how productively they spent their newly found free time. This was amazing to hear because our plan for the kindergarten was not only for the children, it was also for the parents. We knew how hard it must be to lead a village life, and how much harder it becomes when your children do not have an enriching place to spend their childhood. These parents are now able to better take care of their everyday chores, and maybe spend a little time taking care of themselves.
I am not sure how to end this post because a part of me realizes that this isn't the end for the kindergarten. We have bigger plans, we want to do more. There is still so much to provide to these children, to these villagers, that we cannot simply stop here. We will continue to do more. But for now we say goodbye to the children of Tsaghkaber and hope that we will have the opportunity to return again.