For me, Christmas and New Year have always been very special moments. Traditionally, I celebrated these holidays with my family. On the evening before the celebration day, we would gather for a family dinner with parents, siblings, relatives, and others staying at home. On Christmas or New Year’s Day, I would attend church, then spend the afternoon with friends sometimes going out for entertainmentand finally end the day by sharing another meal together as a family.
This time, however, things were different. Due to my role as a volunteer, I was away from home. Although I managed to visit my family briefly, I found myself wondering how I would experience the festive season while being far from the place I was used to celebrating.
What truly touched me was how the Mukoto community embraced me. I received many invitations from different community members, all asking me to celebrate the holidays with them. Their kindness and openness made me feel deeply valued and welcomed.
At the same time, this created a challenge. Since we were all friends, I did not want to favor one group over another or make anyone feel left out. Deciding where to go and how to share my time fairly was not easy. One community member then suggested a beautiful idea: instead of celebrating on only one day, we could spread the celebrations over time. We agreed to begin Christmas celebrations on December 20, 2025, and conclude the New Year celebrations on January 5, 2026, allowing me to spend time with different groups.
My host mother, who is also part of the elders’ group, encouraged me to stay with the host family during the holidays so we could celebrate together. I explained to her the many invitations I had received from different community groups. She gave me very practical advice, reminding me that moving between many groups would be exhausting, especially since they are located far apart in the hills. Her suggestion was to bring groups together and celebrate in one place whenever possible.
I shared this idea with the groups I work with, and they welcomed it. However, they requested that on Christmas Day, I should also invite my fellow volunteers from Bushoki so that we could celebrate together.
We agreed that Christmas would be celebrated with the Sustainable Youth Saving Group, Inyenyeri za Mukoto. The celebration took place at the fish farming site where the group carries out its activities. Members of the group and my fellow volunteers gathered together and shared traditional local drinks such as Ubushera(umusururu), along with simple food mainly consisting of roasted local food(amandazi). It was a joyful moment filled with laughter, meaningful conversations, and a strong sense of togetherness.
The New Year celebration was shared with Mukoto Vision, a newly formed youth group with a strong vision for community development. We celebrated at the group’s working place, where we shared Also a local drink Ubushera (umusururu), roasted Local food(amandazi) and burned maize. We also held meaningful discussions about the group’s future, youth involvement, and the importance of unity in building a strong and sustainable community.
What stood out most for me during these celebrations was the sense of belonging, happiness, and mutual respect. I was deeply moved by the love shown by the community and how they welcomed me as one of their own. Community members shared positive feedback, telling me how surprised they were to see me actively involved in rural daily life. They appreciated my participation in activities such as taking care of livestock, collecting firewood for cooking, and engaging in farming activities.
These moments helped change some perceptions, especially the belief that educated people are proud or distant and an arrogant. Instead, the experience encouraged open interaction and showed that education and humility can go hand in hand.
These celebrations strengthened love, trust, and unity within the community. On a personal level, the experience became even more memorable when I learned about couples within the group who invited me to their upcoming celebrations, sharing the joyful news that they plan to get married by April 2026.
This experience reminded me that volunteerism is not only about service delivery, but also about building relationships, changing mindsets, and sharing life with the community. Mukoto became a family, and Christmas and New Year turned into unforgettable lessons in community, culture, and the true meaning of volunteerism.
