A First-Time Volunteer’s Experience at Anse La Raye Primary Summer School
This past July, Anse La Raye Primary Summer School welcomed Ani Transka, a first-time volunteer whose infectious joy, energy, and sunshine transformed every moment into magic. From the day she arrived, Ani’s laughter was contagious, her creativity boundless, and her heart wide open. Whether leading games, painting faces, or dancing with the children, Ani’s presence lit up every corner of the campus. The children adored her, and it wasn’t long before she became a beloved part of their daily routine.
As a personal trainer back home, Ani brought her love of movement and wellness to St. Lucia—but she found something even more energizing than any workout; the warmth of the local community. “I love to walk, and every day I continue to love greeting the local people in the mornings,” she reflected. “Their smiles and warm vibe set such a positive tone for the day.”
Her typical day began with the Morning Meeting and lots of laughter alongside her volunteer team. Then she headed straight into the joyful chaos of summer school life. “My day began showing the kids how to jump rope, they loved it!” she recalls with a smile. She brought movement into every activity, understanding instinctively what professional educators know; young children learn best when their whole bodies are engaged, when lessons feel like play, when joy and education become inseparable.
Then came a moment that would stay with Ani forever: “A sweet girl called Tam Tam surprised me by making me a new bracelet. Such a thoughtful gesture.” The classroom buzzed with energy as Ani and her fellow team member, high school student Will Rogin, introduced Bingo and Word Ladder. “Will took the lead of the class, and the kids were really engaged with him,” she notes. The activities brought excitement and focus, turning learning into play.
Lunch breaks revealed Ani’s competitive spirit and the students’ superior skills. “I tried to brush up on my basketball skills, but one of the pupils we are teaching, Carlos, still managed to win!” she laughs.
The afternoon art project brought unexpected tenderness. As the children painted wooden magnets, Ani observed something special. “It was so touching to see that almost every child was making one for their mom or sister. I loved how many of the boys joined in with such enthusiasm.”
Her admiration for the students deepened daily. “These kids show so much love and creativity. They are kind and polite and incredibly patient with us.”
“These kids show so much love and creativity. They are kind and polite and incredibly patient with us.”
~ Ani Transka
Each evening was wrapped up with dinner and conversation, reflecting on the day’s wonders and challenges with fellow volunteers. “I feel incredibly grateful for these moments,” Ani said, recognizing the gift of connection she’d been given.
Ani’s path to St. Lucia was itself a testament to dedication. She fundraised her service program contribution! Driven by a deep desire to serve and connect, she asked her friends at home to help fund her opportunity to help children in St. Lucia. That generosity created something extraordinary, not just for the children but also for Ani and those who vicariously traveled with her.
“This was the best time of my life, working with the children, especially Tam Tam,” she declared. “I wear the bracelets we made every single day.” When Summer School ended, hugs and heartfelt goodbyes filled the air. Many children asked the question that melted Ani’s heart: “When will Miss Ani return?”
The feeling is entirely mutual. Ani told us she is already planning her next service program, eager to reunite with the young minds who stole her heart. The bracelets on her wrist serve as daily reminders of the connections forged, the laughter shared, and the love exchanged.
“This was the best time of my life, working with the children, especially Tam Tam.”
~ Ani Transka
Ani’s story reminds us that international service isn’t primarily about what we give; it’s about what happens when we show up with open hearts and discover that the children we came to help were waiting to teach us about resilience, generosity, and the kind of joy that can’t be manufactured, only shared. It is a beautiful reminder of the magic that happens when one person says “yes” to making a difference and discovers that in giving to others, we receive gifts we never expected. The bracelets on Ani’s wrists tell this story every day, string woven with intention by a girl named Tam Tam who understood something profound: the best gifts are those that keep giving, long after the giver and receiver have said goodbye.
The children of Anse La Raye touched Ani’s heart. But make no mistake: Miss Ani touched theirs right back, leaving an imprint that will last far longer than any summer school program.
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