📍 Introduction
From May 19 to June 15, 2025, Loanne Rapin joined Volunteer Initiative Nepal (VIN) to support an Early Childhood Development (ECD) project. What started as a cultural and educational experience became a deeply emotional and transformative journey.
🤝 Welcoming Days at VIN
Loanne’s journey began with a few days of integration at VIN’s office. These initial days were filled with warm welcomes, delicious Nepali food, and meaningful conversations with both VIN staff and fellow volunteers.
“These 3 days are important for meeting VIN staff and getting to know the other volunteers.”
She also got the chance to visit cultural landmarks in Kathmandu, adding rich context to her upcoming volunteer placement.
🏡 Living with a Host Family
Loanne stayed with a kind host family: Shiva and Aama. From day one, she was welcomed not as a guest but as part of the family.
“They really are beautiful persons… Aama is a very good cook. I’ve got my menu for the month—Dal Bhat! No problem, because they’re excellent.”
This homestay added warmth and authenticity to her entire volunteer experience.
🎒 First Day at School
Her volunteer work took place in a classroom with children aged 3–4 years. She immediately noticed how lovely and eager the kids were.
“For me, it’s a chance to be with them all day long.”
During her first week, she facilitated simple logic and memory games to assess the children’s development. She was pleasantly surprised at how much they had already learned in English—numbers, ABCs, colors, and vocabulary.
🎨 Activities and Learning
With help from Nepali volunteers and the teacher, Loanne engaged the children in various creative and educational activities:
🧩 Sample Activities:
- Memory games
- Domino and observation games
- Coloring Nepal map
- Counting with cards and tokens
- Writing in English and Nepali
- Using stencils for calm and focused creativity
- Vocabulary games like “Lynx”
Each day brought something new, from physical warmups and rhymes to focused learning sessions.
🕒 Daily Schedule:
- 10:00–11:00 AM: Warm-up, rhymes, ABCs (English & Nepali)
- 11:00–12:00 PM: Educational activities
- 12:00–1:30 PM: Lunch + TV
- 1:30–2:30 PM: Reading, writing, and math exercises
📊 Challenges and Observations
While the children had strong support from a caring teacher, Loanne observed a few challenges:
- Some children struggled with concentration and sharing.
- Instructions were sometimes hard to communicate due to language barriers.
- Materials like blocks, papers, and glue were in short supply.
“We need to adapt activities depending on the individual — like making different groups based on level.”
💬 Conversations with the Teacher
The local teacher emphasized the need for more educational materials and volunteers.
“What the children need most are toys, blocks, paper, glue, and people who bring new ideas.”
Despite these needs, Loanne found that the school environment was nurturing and well-managed.
💛 Final Reflections
In just three weeks, Loanne not only contributed to the class but also gained immensely from the experience:
“I learnt to be more patient and to listen… The mini bond created with the children will remain in my heart.”
Though she sometimes questioned whether her impact was enough, the teacher confirmed that her presence supported classroom management and gave her more time to engage individually with children.
“So my role was to support an education that already worked. But I loved supporting these children, giving them love and time.”
🌟 Conclusion: A Meaningful Journey
Loanne’s journey was more than just volunteering — it was a powerful exchange of cultures, care, and compassion. Her story highlights how even small contributions in Early Childhood Education can leave a lasting mark on both the children and the volunteer.
“Everything would have been different if my host family hadn’t been so wonderful!”
📷 Want to Volunteer Like Loanne?
Apply now or explore our Early Childhood Development Program
Live with a local host family, bring joy to young learners, and make a lasting difference.
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