While I was in Kathmandu over the holidays, we held a weeklong Writer’s Workshop at Olgapuri Children’s Home. As someone who believes that anyone can write a story if given the proper encouragement, hosting a workshop for these kids was great fun!
Ten students, ages 10-12, spent the week immersed in imagination, creativity, and writing. We divided the group into two teams; each team produced a book. They wrote their stories on paper, then created illustrations to complement the writing. I digitized their work and made minor tweaks. Their stories flowed beautifully, with plot lines I couldn’t imagine writing about!
One team created a story about momos of all kinds attending a Momo Met Gala. They connected an ethnic food dish with a renowned event held halfway around the world! I loved watching their creativity at work. Once they got rolling, their enthusiasm was infectious. One person’s idea would trigger an idea from someone else, followed by giggling and laughter, then more ideas would pop up. Working in teams prevented anyone from fearing their work wasn’t good enough. They were in it together, supporting one another and, judging by the tone of their voices, enjoying the process.
My week with these kids reinforced my belief in the value of creating opportunities for children to be creative. I provided a bit of structure to get them started, then watched their imaginations take off! I’m not sure who had more fun, the young writers or me.
What’s your story? What do you daydream about? Pick up a pen, open a notebook, and find out. If writing feels too hard to tackle alone, grab a friend and write a story together. The kids at Olgapuri had a blast … I bet you will too.
