In a village in Zemplín, the children first go to Mass, then gather in the local priest's garden and prepare for school together

Sunday is usually a time of play and rest for children. But in the village of Markovce in Zemplín, some of them spend their free day over worksheets and books. They do not meet in a school building or at school desks. Learning has found its place in the garden of the local Orthodox priest.

According to STVR, these unusual gatherings have been held for two years now, and children from the age of six can join. Together they work on counting, letters, reading and understanding a text. The local priest, Fr. Martin, said that usually about 15 to 25 children come to Sunday school, but the number changes. Sometimes there are only a few, other times many more gather in the garden.

Strengthening what they know with interesting worksheets

The aim of Sunday school is not to replace regular lessons, but to give children room to strengthen their basic knowledge. So the volunteers prepared their own worksheets for different age groups. Michaela explained that they gradually adjusted the content so that the children could go over the material regularly.

According to the volunteer, several children have learned to read and write this way, and have mastered other basics too. When fewer come, they can give each child more individual attention and help exactly where they struggle most.

So on Sundays the garden in Markovce becomes a place where children get help with learning. Every gathering gives them a chance to try out new skills and strengthen the ones they already know.