VAYA Partners with Littlecob Library

VAYA Volunteers is proud to bring English, yoga and dance classes to Littlecob this summer and fall. It was apparent when we walked through the wooden gate and entered the fairytale-like grounds of Littlecob Library that these kids love to be there and want to learn. Everyday is a new experience inspired by the kids willingness to participate in any activity. It is a very wonderful feeling working there! 

Kelly Page and myself, Aubree Christian are the founders and directors of VAYA Volunteers and Experience Exchange, which brings volunteers to Matagalpa, Nicaragua to travel, experience the Nicaraguan culture and give back to the community through volunteering. We focus on teaching English as that is a skill that most volunteers enjoy doing and we find that the kids are eager to learn as much as they can from native speakers. We can really tell which Littlecobblers have been taking advantage of studying English with other Littlecob volunteers! 

VAYA’s English program is based on learning through play. Children are introduced to English as a second language through games, songs, and activities similar to the way they learn their mother tongue. We want children to have a positive, fun experience with English when they are first trying to learn it. This is the best way for them to form a strong English foundation and stay motivated to continue learning English throughout their adolescence.

Another program we are very proud to offer is our free-form extracurricular program. Volunteers can share with the children their interests and skills such as dance, art, photography, sewing and gardening. These are short-term workshops that are organized and executed by volunteers and community members giving kids the opportunity to explore their interests and creativity.

This July we had a volunteer, Camille, who taught kids’ yoga classes using animals in English and basic ballet. The students enjoyed participating and expressing themselves in activities such as freeze dance, mirroring and the name game with movements. It is very exciting to see the kids come together and do something creative and healthy after school. The Littlecobblers always leave each class with smiles on their faces! The classes were such a success that after Camille’s 2 weeks were over the students begged for us to continue the classes with them. All I can say is, we are doing our best to fill Camille’s shoes!

This August we are starting a recycling project using plastic and cardboard materials to build garden sculptures that later on the students will paper mache and paint. We are trying to encourage the Littlecobblers to keep their neighborhood clean by throwing their trash in the bin and helping the environment by reusing and recycling appropriate materials. 

It’s been an honor to partner with Littlecob to provide these classes and VAYA looks forward to many more years of collaboration and growth!