Saying goodbye stirs emotions—sadness from leaving behind a familiar community and excitement for new beginnings. The experiences of three Community Service Year (CSY) Program's Cohort 9 members are a wonderful way to reflect on 2023.
Zablon shows us the power of community. Without any prior teaching experience, he took a bold leap and made learning fun for his students at Unga Ltd Secondary School. Despite having large classes and limited lab resources, he incorporated games and projector presentations into his lessons.
His innovative methods paid off, making chemistry one of the school's top subjects. He even provided steel wire and battery acid for experiments and coached a volleyball team to victory at the ward level. His efforts led to a student, Joseph Masai, competing in a regional sports competition.
For Johnson, accountability and personal growth were key. As a volunteer in the English as a Second Language (ESL) and Typing department at Smith Campus, he helped Form 1 students become computer-literate within a week.
He revived ESL and Typing night sessions, giving students more time to improve their skills. Johnson also resurrected his podcast, which he had started in 2022. Now called the "Ulumbi Podcast," it aims to inspire and transform communities through stories of resilience and triumph. Johnson envisions the podcast reaching people across the country within five years.
Elisia highlighted the supportive community she built with her peers and mentors. Teaching students with diverse learning needs, especially those with disabilities, was challenging but rewarding. She used interactive teaching aids and hands-on activities to make learning engaging and fun.
At Themi Secondary School, Elisia introduced a peer-tutoring program, pairing strong students with those needing extra help. This approach improved performance and engagement among her 400 students over nine months.
Zablon, Johnson, and Elisia's experiences taught them perseverance, responsibility, and the importance of community. They advise future CSY participants to embrace the experience, cherish relationships, celebrate small victories, and tackle challenges head-on. Volunteering and teaching offer immense growth opportunities, making the Community Service Year more than just a role—it's a chance to inspire and lead with purpose.
Stay connected and continue making a difference in our community by reaching out to us at alumni@schoolofstjude.co.tz
