Goodbye to Lexi
Monday, June 4, 2012 at 12:01PM 
Lexi left the day after Jeff so it was kind of like getting hit with a double whammy. Lexi has been here with us for a year and a half and her stay in Nepal totaled two years!! Her one year "gap year" from college turned into two when she came to Kopila Valley. We're so lucky our paths crossed when they did because she was a vital part of the team that's really helped with our growth this year. Lexi learned to speak Nepali, worked with our first and second grade teachers, ran the resource center, designed curriculum, taught classes, created a set of home-made text books for first and second graders, put on a musical and many other wonderful programs. She was Namraj's "canchi" mommy whenever I was away and always took lots of time to sit and talk with the kids and take them for long walks. She's a gifted singer and taught the kids songs every night, and got us all into the game "capture the flag." It was having such high caliber and talented volunteer like Lexi around that inspired me to launch the fellowship program!
Thank you for being here with us through thick and thin, Lexi and best of luck on your next journey at University of Maryland!
**Pictures and videos from MUSIC DAY coming soon.
Reader Comments (6)
Hope you find someone to fill in for Lexi fast.
Her energy and dancing "skills" will be hard to replace!
I wish her the best with her college experience and in life.
Colleges should look into a community service program such as yours as an alternative to study abroad. Surely the experience students could obtain would more than equal that learned in a classroom. Especially for college students studying education. I would be willing to bet some of the smaller LACs would love to jump on an opportunity such as this. Just a thought.
Fascinating "coincidence." I'm leaving a school right around the corner of University of Maryland to hopefully travel to Kopila Valley for the wellness fellowship. Lexi is leaving her time volunteering at Kopila Valley to attend UMD.
Lexi, although I'm moving in a week, I've lived in this area for seven years. Please feel free to contact me through my blog above if you need any help with contacts or anything in the College Park area. I would also love to hear more about your time at Kopila - it sounds like you had quite an impact!
I'll miss Jeff and Lexi too...I was enriched looking at their work: thank you.
Their smiles spoke an international language... I'm sure that never they''ll forgive their nepali little freinds.
Good luck Lexi and Jeff and try to write to make the distance smallest. I wait for your thinkings.
Another example of the outstanding caliber of people who come to Kopila to volunteer. I was at Kopila when Lexi first visited from another project, having arrived with the Founder/Funder to share ideas between the two organizations. That night she jumped right in and helped cook dinner and blended right in with the children as if she had been there for months.
She is one of the most unusual people I have ever met in that she is an intellectual, valedictorian of her class, yet equally gifted with empathy and emotionality, with musical and teaching talents in abundance to go with her nature. She has a youthful quality and energy that she carries every where she goes. Her impact has perhaps gone unnoticed but she has enhanced the students of Kopila immeasurably. Tough shoes to fill, but they keep coming!!
I cannot agree with Maggie's words (and that of those who commented) more...
Lexi has brought an immeasurable amount to Kopila Valley Home and School that is beyond her years. Few ever have the impact that she has had over the past year plus that I have had the pleasure to work and live along side her.
Many blessings for your amazing efforts!