The NSLI-Y program provides a number of opportunities for the students to contribute to the local community via community service projects. One day after class sessions, NSLI-Y students in Tajikistan pooled some of their own money to purchase yogurt, cookies, and diapers to take to a local orphanage. The orphanage houses newborn children through 8 year olds, and also takes care of children with physical disabilities.
The NSLI-Y students loved playing with the children in the garden, and felt rewarded when they saw how happy this made the children. Although the children started off as shy, once the students earned their trust, they became quick friends. NSLI-Y students enjoyed helping older children go down the slide, and younger ones take faltering steps and practice walking. After all of the playing, they students helped feed yogurt to the youngest children, and gave candies and cookies as treats to the children. They were sad to leave their new friends when the time came to say goodbye!
