Volunteer info and update (March 27-April 3, 2009)

(Please read previous post for complete volunteer overview)

During my quick visit to Nirmal Pokhari the other volunteer Jen and I decided that having a library is great, but being able to take the books home is even better. We took the time to log all the books that were available, rated them on difficulty and made cards for the children to record the date they borrowed a book and the date they brought them back.

We introduced the children to this concept and they were very excited, we also told them that if they failed to return the book the next Monday they could not come to the library until they returned it or borrow another book.

I also took the time to make a word wall, with words they know under each letter of the alphabet. This should be added to when you work on a theme or cover new vocabulary.

If Volunteers could please log and rate all the books that are donated to the library that would be so helpful. Easy books are a ladybug sticker, medium are a star and hardest books are marked with a leaf sticker.

From doing our lessons we realized that the children have difficulty with the sounds of the alphabet, understanding adjectives and verbs but are eager to learn and love it when you make things interesting. They also have difficulty with describing what certain occupations do.

Before you come I suggest organizing what theme you will do and bring the required books, art supplies and other tools that would make this easier.

Since school was on holidays when I was in Nimral Pokhari our schedule was 7-8 in the library and then to the child care centre before returning to the library again from 5-6.

The childcare centre is a very sad place. For somewhere where children spend the majority of their day they have little to play with or do. Jen and I were often wondering what we could do there, so spent an hour or a little more there before leaving. There is literally 3 swings, 2 balls and maybe 5 dirty stuffed dolls. There are chalk boards availalbe but these arent always accesible. I highly recommend you bring items with you if you go here. I will be sending some books, toys, etc.

Things you could donate to the library or child care centre; a lantern (when the electricity goes out it is very dark to work), coloured chalk, books, toys, stickers, puzzles, games, glue, construction paper, colouring sheets, amoung other things.

Have a great time!


Teri Flemming
www.nationalkidscamps.com