Nurturing the spirit of volunteering

Since the turn of the century, or even before, the nation of Rwanda has flourished through hard work of her citizens but also has grown on the spirit of international volunteerism. I myself began my service in Rwanda as a volunteer back in 2006 doing short term trips from Australia, then from 2009 as a full-time class teacher, national trainer with the then Teacher Services Commission and curriculum development. My first paid position in Rwanda wasn’t until 2011. The volunteering experience was one of the most transformative experiences of my life.The volunteer has so much to gain and nothing to lose in freely giving up one’s time and spirit to serve the community. Umuganda for example has been pivotal in the community development sector of Rwanda. The young and old come together on the last Saturday of each month to engage in building community spirit and unity whilst volunteering labour skills in meeting needs within their neighbourhoods across the country. In a way to build up community spirit and community awareness, the volunteer spirit is a growing culture for students of Riviera High School. These school holidays a team of up to 25 Senior 4 and 5 students are giving up their time to assist the children’s services of Kigali Public Library. Since the library opened Madam Devota Kayitesi, Director responsible for the children’s library is swamped by young children, with little or no parental supervision, longing to improve reading skills or simply to be read to.The culture of reading in Rwanda is very important to the nation and young children are hungry to grow. Student volunteers are able to assist through giving their time to create learning experiences that stimulate imagination, improves language development in both the young children and themselves, and builds social confidence. Young children get to develop a positive attitude to an essential life skill.In return the volunteer is rewarded with the joy of knowing something substantial has impacted the young child’s life long learning. Volunteering is liberating. If you have a volunteer spirit, you will find opportunity in every corner of your community. During the school holidays, orphanages are screaming out for mature secondary students to come and play games, interact with young children and support the day to day running. Community centres everywhere look for solid down to earth young people to become role models and mentors. To use a statement once spoken by Mother Theresa, volunteering is:“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received; how much money we have made; how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.’ Hungry not only for bread – but hungry for love; naked not only for clothing – but naked of human dignity and respect; homeless not only for want of a home of bricks – but homeless because of rejection.”That is the spirit of a volunteer.The writer is the Deputy Principal of Riviera High School