After launching the afterschool center in Necșești, our team returned for a follow-up visit. We arrived right in the middle of a reading activity. The kids were already engaged, focused on their books or listening, and the atmosphere was calm but full of curiosity.

We followed up with a lighthearted reading game, where we gently tested their memory and understanding of the stories they had been reading these past weeks. The kids impressed us with their thoughtful answers, creative interpretations, and joyful enthusiasm. Through the activity, they practiced not just reading comprehension, but also critical thinking, active listening, and confidence in speaking up.

There are some truly brilliant, eager minds among them ,children who are excited to learn, who love stories, and who stay curious even during their summer break.

After the learning came celebration: a well-deserved pizza treat they shared with laughter. For many of them, these small but meaningful moments such as learning together and eating together help create a deep sense of belonging and joy. It’s more than just a visit. It’s connection.

Some of the kids shared that they wish they could spend more time at the center, and that simple wish says everything. That’s why we’re already planning more relaxing and creative activities, like a movie night, to continue making this a space where they feel safe, seen, and valued.

Although not all the children could attend , most of the ones who came were fully present: engaged, excited, and eager to grow. It’s clear that something special is taking root in Necșești: a small but beautiful community of young learners who are reading, dreaming, and finally have a place they belong in.

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

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

OpenSoul Foundation was here.