March 1, 2025, was just another Saturday, except I wasn’t in bed savoring weekend sleep. By 8:30 AM, I was at Strathmore University, half awake and questioning my life choices. The mission? A volunteering trip to Kwetu Home of Peace in Ruai, organized by Strathmore University’s Community Outreach Program (COP). The goal? To spread hope and love. After a two-hour bus ride, full of questionable decisions and random philosophical discussions with my classmates, we finally arrived at the Home, greeted by a group of excited kids who seemed too happy to see us. (I’m pretty sure they had more energy than I did after my third cup of coffee.) After introductions, we split into teams to tackle various tasks, including cooking, cleaning, helping with homework, and of course, playing games. Simple enough, right? Wrong! These kids had boundless energy. It was like they had discovered the secret to unlimited stamina.
Now, here’s where things took an unexpected turn. Homework time. I decided to help one of the kids with their Grade 5 exam prep, only to have anxiety halfway through. Is the curriculum harder now? or did I just forget everything I learned after school? These kids were confidently solving math problems, playing chess like the future grandmasters they envisioned to be, and dancing with moves that would put me to shame. It was a humbling moment, to say the least.
The boys warned us against the tap water and led us to the fresh stuff. With salty water in plenty, potable water was scarce. Water bottles came in handy when we needed refills from the jerry can. Despite the intense heat and exhaustion, staying hydrated kept us going, and the day turned out incredible. The boys’ joy was contagious, and their resilience was truly inspiring. It made me reflect on how easy it is to take the simple things for granted, from clean water, an education, to the ability to take breaks whenever we want. Meanwhile, these kids were handling it all with grace, humor, and a whole lot of energy.
By the end of the day, I was physically drained, but emotionally, I was full like a battery that had been charged by the sheer joy of the experience. And honestly? I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. One of my goals this year is to attend every COP activity because, let’s be honest, waiting for the “perfect time” to give back is a trap. There will never be a perfect time, but the impact you make will always be worth it.
So, if you’re a university student (or anyone, really) thinking about volunteering, just go for it. You will never “have enough free time,” but you will always remember the difference you made and the fun you had while doing it.
If you ever get the chance to volunteer, take it. The experience will change your perspective, give you a solid workout (seriously, I needed a nap after all that running around), and maybe even remind you why you should have paid more attention in Grade 5.
Article Written by Daisy Onyimbo, Bachelor of Science in Informatics and Computer Science, 2nd Year Student.
