Sleeping at school

By: Alicia Jones

Even if it was just a towel on the floor of the kindergarten classroom at the local public school in my town, I always loved naptime. The kindergarten teacher would come around with her fairy-wand and tap each child on the head to “make us fall asleep.” It worked for me and I’m glad that naptime has been made possible for sixty Roma children.

The four teachers in the kindergarten at one of the largest Roma communities in Romania where we work are in search of a magic fairy-wand to help the sixty squiggling 3 to 6-year olds fall asleep each afternoon for their naptime. The children, with the support given by North Carolina Baptist churches have nylon beds, pillows, sheets, and uniquely designed fleece blankets under which to snuggle for their afternoon naps. Unfortunately the black-out curtains and the low hum of the kid’s movie playing on a donated television don’t keep the kids from giggling, chatting and crying during naptime. But on a normal weekday afternoon, the mood of rest and sleep resides in the large warm room in the basement of the church.

This is the eleventh year of operation for this particular kindergarten in Romania. For ten years the lead kindergarten teacher has faithfully taught the Roma children. This year two new teachers were added to help carry the burden of teaching since the existing program that went to noon was extended until 4:30 pm. The kindergarten has received support over the years from the local government: both the mayor and the local school and principal. Currently, they also receive aid from Hungarian Baptist Aid and North Carolina Baptist churches.  Together these entities have made the afternoon naptime and three meals a day available to 60 adorable children in one Roma community. Now if someone would just give each kindergarten a magical fairy-wand to make the children fall asleep!

A love that changes things

By: Alicia Jones

Two weeks ago we started a full day kindergarten 8 am until 4:30 pm; previously we held a half day 8 am until 12 noon. On the first full day we had the most children we’ve ever had—18! And the children have been very faithful to attend with the new schedule. The children were extremely excited about sleeping at the kindergarten and many have slept peacefully during their afternoon nap. But I will say, settling into the longer days has taken nearly two weeks, and I think the children and the workers are adjusting well.

The kindergarten room ready for an afternoon rest.

     On Saturday morning we did a little program for some visitors with the children singing and reciting poems they’ve learned. As Ingrid, one of the local helpers, and I sat with the children to enjoy the rest of the church program I watched these little kindergarteners as they glanced up to Ingrid and me every so often. One little girl was a bit frightened when the guests got up to leave and she quickly made her way to my lap. In those few moments following her action, I reflected on the familiarity we have with the children now and the love we have in our kindergarten family. This love is truly a gift from God.

Sunday morning, I read Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.” Little by little I am seeing the faithful love of God take root in the precious hearts of these kindergarteners as we head into a third week of long days with them. I am confident that God’s love will make a lasting difference in the lives of these children and in the lives of their families. God’s love changes things, it overcomes evil, it drives out fear, and it illuminates dark places. I’m praying God’s love will change things in this place, Transcarpathia, Ukraine. Will you join me in that prayer?

Mine! Build! Look!

By: Alicia Jones

A few weeks ago when I first took out blocks for the children a battle erupted in which each child quickly tried to hold as many blocks for him or herself as possible. They were sitting on the blocks and yelling at each other. One little boy literally laid on top of the blocks and was screaming “mine!” So I proceeded to pick him up and sit him on the floor. I took the blocks and deliberately built a small tower. Meanwhile I was saying “build, build” in Hungarian.

At first he continued his hoarding and gathering of blocks in his lap. But as I built the tower he began to watch. As I handed him some blocks and said “build,” he began to build a little something, but soon lost interest and went to play something else.

Since that experience the children have all learned to play more kindly. And last week there was a beautiful moment one morning when I looked around the room and all the children were playing quietly at various activities; coloring, playing house, and building with blocks. I noticed this same little boy, who had lain on the blocks a few weeks before, was sitting next to another boy with the blocks. He watched carefully as the second boy, who is an expert builder after just one week of working with the blocks, built a tall tower. He began to build a tower too. Then they built a tower together. When they were finished they ran to each teacher, saying, “Look, look!” With delight the whole class paused what we were doing and celebrated the building of beautiful towers and then we captured this picture. See more pictures of the first month of kindergarten here. 

It's the little things

By Alicia Jones

The kindergarten is off to a great start. A typical day begins with the children being brought by their mother, grandmother or siblings each morning between 7:30 and 8:15 am. We inspect them when they come in and they wash their face and hands. They find their cups with their personal sign (each child has a different picture like a flower or guitar so that they know what belongs to them) on it and brush their teeth. After getting cleaned up for the day, the children find a corner of the room to work on a self-directed activity until breakfast. We line up and head to breakfast. Mari, our wonderful cook and helper, makes breakfast so delicious that the children are always excited to go to the kitchen!

After breakfast we spend a while on the playground when the weather is nice. After the children have expended some energy we head back inside, wash up and have a piece of fruit. On days the children are able to be good listeners we have a short circle time together; share a bible story and songs. Then the children choose their own activity. Many of the children didn’t know how to color, do a puzzle or build with blocks the first day they came into our classroom, but now, just two weeks into kindergarten these are some of their favorite activities! They also choose from playing with baby dolls and kitchen toys or sitting in our quiet corner and looking at books.

Many children love when we dance together or do a group activity, like planting seeds before lunch. Soon after lunch mothers arrive and we say, “See you tomorrow!” And that is the routine of our kindergarten. Each day is unique with its challenges and successes.

It has been the little things that have filled my heart with joy. After just one week of kindergarten we had the class walking in a line to the kitchen and to the playground. After just three days of teaching the first nine numbers we had several children identifying the numbers on their own! By the second week of class all the children were brushing their teeth daily, a new activity for many of them. Now they even ask to brush their teeth when they arrive. When I see these small miracles I give God praise, He is teaching these children one day at a time.

God has begun a good work

By Alicia Jones

On Monday of this week we celebrated the opening of the kindergarten at New Life Roma Church in Western Ukraine. It was a great celebration as visitors from far and near were present: Sándor Szenczy from Hungarian Baptist Aid, Pastor Craig Hamlin from my home church, Fairview Baptist, a representative from the mayor of the region, and the director of the local Roma school. Our honored guests were the children of the kindergarten class and their mothers.

We celebrated a vision and a dream coming to reality. For two years plus I’ve personally been praying for God to establish a kindergarten for the Roma children in this town. Locally people have prayed even longer. As I said at the inauguration on Monday, we are beginning small, but we believe God will grow it in His time and in His way.

Tuesday the first six students came, on Wednesday we had eight new students and on Thursday three new students. We wanted small groups at first, so that we could get acquainted with the children and their unique personalities. What a blessings these three days were, learning who the children are and how we might provide a kindergarten education for them.

God reminded me half way through the week of Paul’s words in Philippians 1:6, “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” We’ve prayed for God to work in these little ones’ lives and we trust Him to carry it on to completion!

See more photos here.