Volunteer Spotlight: Kirstie in Kigali, Rwanda

What made you decide to volunteer?

Like a lot of people today I started feeling that my existence was becoming really superficial and very much oriented around the getting of things. So I decided to volunteer to get a better understanding of how others live and also to see how I would cope in another culture without the creature comforts I had become so accustomed to. I was in Rwanda and thought that if I really wanted to understand the people and how they get buy, volunteering in the local community would be the best way to do that.

How did you find your volunteer placement?

I found my volunteer placement through word of mouth. I had a friend in Rwanda who put me in touch with the organisers of the program.

What sort of work did you do?

I was teaching English to Primary 3 children at a very small community school. The class had 13 children aged between 8 and 17.

Do you feel like you made an impact?

I do feel like I made an impact. The children and the teacher were all really responsive to the lessons. And when the children or the teacher were stuck for a word in English they would ask, which I think is half the battle when learning English.

Did you grow as a person (learn about yourself) through volunteering?

I’m a much more patient person now! When teaching English to non English speakers there can be a level of frustration. Well frustration is futile! You need to be patient and move slowly. If people don’t understand, you need to take the time to help them understand.

Do you feel like you learned new skills through volunteering?

One of the new skills I feel I have started to learn is how to think outside the box. You don’t always have a lot of resources when on a placement, so you have to think how to make do with what you do have. I also learned from the Rwandan teacher that I taught with, how to really incorporate the different ways children learn. Instead of having the children just sit in the class and you stand there and teach at them, she was really good at taking them out of the class to reinforce a lesson.

How do you feel volunteering enhanced your travels?

Volunteering gives a whole new dimension to travel; you start to feel like a part of the country you’re visiting and not just an observer. You see the people you meet in a different light and it makes you feel more comfortable where you are. People are also more willing to interact with you if they see you’re there trying to help and not just there on a “people safari”.

Would you recommend this placement to others?

Absolutely, the Meg Foundation is a really worthwhile organisation. It was great to see that any money that I was happy to donate and the money from my accommodation contribution were going directly to the children and their needs.

Any advice for people who want to volunteer but are apprehensive?

Before you sign up ask as many questions as you want, if it doesn’t feel right, keep looking. If you get somewhere, and it doesn’t fit you and your personality, give it a bit longer, it takes time to get to feeling comfortable in a new environment. Be as open as you possibly can, the more open you are, the more you will get out of it. People love to learn about your home country and culture so communicate as much as you can, after all, you’re there for the experience!