lifestyle 20 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Life Lessons from Volunteering That School Skipped
A student shares how volunteering built real-world skills like handling conflicts and fostering community bonds, far beyond classroom teachings. She urges others to try it for personal growth and unexpected rewards. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/letters/what-volunteering-taught-me-that-school-never-did-5429704
Layira Nabukalu, a student at Victoria University, recalls her first volunteering stint at a local food drive. Expecting dull work, she instead mediated a dispute between two elderly women over the last pancake mix box, learning to diffuse tension with humor and calm.
She found a spare box, turning frustration into smiles—a skill not taught in school.
In her neighborhood, Nabukalu joined friends to clean a trash-filled alley. What started small drew in half the block, sparking laughter, stories, and new connections with long-ignored neighbors.
The real gain? A profound sense of belonging that money can’t buy.
Nabukalu counters the ‘time-waster’ view, citing a friend who volunteered at a youth center. Her reliability led to a job recommendation employers valued more than a resume.
Volunteering grows you, connects you, and helps find your tribe—no major life overhaul needed, just step off the couch.
She encourages checking local food banks, centers, or alleys to discover the rewards.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)