There’s an unspoken rule in volunteering that you never say “no” to what the community wants to learn. But what happens when they ask for something you’ve never done before? That’s exactly what happened when my community members told me they wanted to learn how to make energy-saving jikos, or chepkubes.
I had never made one in my life. I didn’t even know where to start. For a moment, I wondered how can I teach something I don’t know? I even asked my fellow Volunteers for advice, and they told me, “Clare, just tell them you can’t.” But how could I disappoint my people? These are my family here. I couldn’t say no. So, I said, “Yes, we can do it!” even though I had no idea how.
We mobilized the community. People came together with so much energy and excitement. We gathered all the materials: anthill soil (because it’s thick and sticky), wheelbarrow, jembes, pangas everything we needed to build our jiko. I even tried watching a few YouTube videos for guidance, but honestly, they left me more confused than before. Still, I decided to trust the process and my people.
We started mixing the soil, shaping the structure, and molding it carefully. I found myself giving directions, guiding others, laughing, and learning alongside them, pretending to be an expert when deep down I was praying everything would turn out right. And then, something amazing happened. The jiko started taking shape, perfectly. It came out beautifully!
When we finished, the community was so happy. They couldn’t believe it was our first time. They told me, “You’re such a good teacher!” Hearing those words filled me with so much joy and pride. I was smiling the whole time, but inside, I was just overwhelmed with gratitude; grateful that I didn’t give up, grateful for their trust, and grateful for what we had created together.
The lesson wasn’t just about building a mud stove. It was about the power of “we.” It was about showing up with a “yes” and a willing heart, even when your mind is screaming “no.” It was about proving that you don’t have to be an expert to achieve something amazing; you just need a community to build it with.
I look at that energy-saving jiko now, and I don’t just see a stove. I see a monument to our collective courage, our messy hands, and the beautiful things we can build when we pretend to know the way, and then find it together.
