From Convenience to Commitment : A volunteer's journey from fitting service around life to centering it on children's needs
When Cynthia Kanengeya first joined the Rugare Reading Program, she arrived with enthusiasm and a simple desire to help primary school children improve their reading and writing. She believed that good intentions, patience, and a willingness to show up would be enough. It did not take long for her perspective to change. Being with the children helped Cynthia understand the depth of their needs in a way she could never have appreciated from a distance. She realized that meaningful service was not simply about offering whatever time happened to be available. It required commitment, consistency, and a willingness to make room for the children when they needed her most. Before volunteering at Rugare, Cynthia often thought about helping in terms of what could conveniently fit into her schedule. Her own responsibilities came first, and service would have to fit around them. The Rugare Reading Program challenged that mindset. Supporting the children meant giving up hours she might otherwise have spent resting or attending to other responsibilities. Yet those sacrifices began to feel less like something she was giving up and more like something meaningful she was gaining. She was not simply teaching children how to read and write. She was giving them her time, patience, encouragement, energy, and voice. In return, she discovered a deeper sense of purpose. One of the most rewarding parts of the experience has been watching the children's confidence grow. Some initially hesitated to answer questions because they were afraid of making mistakes. Others struggled to believe they could improve. Gradually, however, Cynthia began to see a transformation. A correctly pronounced word became a small victory. Writing a name clearly became something worth celebrating. Reading an entire sentence without stopping became a moment of pride. The smiles that followed those achievements showed Cynthia that the lessons were about more than literacy. Every breakthrough was helping the children believe a little more in themselves and in what their futures could hold. Her relationship with the children also grew beyond the classroom. Cynthia began asking about their families, their communities, their friends, and the small details that make up their everyday lives. Through those conversations, the children stopped feeling simply like students she had come to teach. Genuine friendships began to form. And there is one moment she looks forward to every time she visits. As soon as the children see her, they run toward her at full speed, arms stretched wide, ready for a hug. For Cynthia, those hugs have become one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. They are simple reminders that her presence matters and that the relationships being built are just as important as the lessons being taught. The Rugare Reading Program has ultimately taught Cynthia much more than how to help a child read or write. It has changed the way she understands service. She has learned that one person's time and effort can help shape a child's confidence and future. At the same time, serving others can transform the person who chooses to show up. Watching children move beyond fear, discover their abilities, and become more confident has also given Cynthia a renewed sense of hope. Their progress reminds her that change is possible, especially when someone is willing to stand beside another person and keep showing up. What began as a desire to help when it was convenient has become something deeper: a commitment to being present when it matters most.
