In Necșești, our afterschool center continues to nurture young minds through reading, play, and connection, planting seeds of hope, confidence, and purpose in the hearts of the children.

After launching the afterschool center in one of the most under-resourced schools in Teleorman, our team returned for a meaningful follow-up visit. This time, we came to spend time with the children, see how they are progressing, offer them a few simple learning tests, share lunch together, and, most importantly, remind them that they are seen, loved, and not forgotten.

When we arrived, the children welcomed us with curiosity and excitement. We spent time with them through gentle reading and comprehension activities, helping us understand how they are learning, what they remember, and where they may need more support. These were not just tests on paper. They were moments of encouragement, listening, and discovery.

The children showed us once again how eager they are to learn. Some answered with confidence. Others needed a little more patience and guidance. But each child brought something beautiful to the table: attention, imagination, joy, and a desire to be part of something meaningful.

Our work in Necșești is about more than afterschool activities. It is about creating a safe and nurturing space where children from vulnerable families can read, play, grow, and build confidence. It is about giving them access to support, encouragement, and opportunities that many children in more resourced communities may take for granted.

After the learning activities, we shared lunch together. The children enjoyed the meal with laughter, conversation, and the simple joy of being together. For many of them, these moments of eating together, playing together, and being cared for become memories that nourish not only the body, but also the soul.

And of course, we played. Because children need more than lessons. They need joy. They need freedom. They need safe adults who make room for laughter, creativity, and connection.

Every visit reminds us why this work matters so deeply. In a small village in Teleorman, in a school with many needs, something beautiful is growing. A community is forming. Children are beginning to feel that this center belongs to them. They are learning that their voices matter, their minds matter, and their futures matter.

We are grateful to continue walking alongside them, step by step, with love, patience, and hope.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

OpenSoul Foundation was here.