And…. You can too

COVID-19 was a huge blow.

But if there’s one thing I learned, it’s that the world is one big village, and geographical boundaries don’t bear as much weight as they used to.

Before then, I believed you had to physically travel to work or study abroad. Sure, I knew people worked and studied remotely, but it never occurred to me that it could become my reality.

Fast forward to 2024. The pandemic is long over, but I found myself deep in the frustrating reality of unemployment. I wanted to make better use of my time, and volunteering felt like the right path. I hoped it would help me gain experience—and maybe even increase my chances of landing a job.

So, I went online searching for remote opportunities because commuting expenses were not an option. That’s how I stumbled across VolunteerMatch, a non-profit platform in the US that connects volunteers with non-profit organizations seeking help. It provides a space for non-profits to post volunteer opportunities and for individuals to find and apply for opportunities that match their interests and skills

A call from Story Luck stood out. looking for someone interested in storytelling or podcasting. The ad read: Training You to be a Professional: Podcaster – Streamer – Blogger – Writer – Storyteller.

______ because I used to co-host a podcast with my best friend Sebb. But when she joined the Kenyan military, she asked me to keep the show going in her absence. So, I signed up immediately.

Unfortunately, the day I was supposed to meet Dan, Story Luck’s founder, everything went wrong. Power went out in my building. I ended up taking the call from a noisy, unstable connection. I was terrified he’d be frustrated and cut our conversation short.

He didn’t.

Instead, Dan listened. Patiently. Fully. Up to that point, I had never met anyone who held space for my story without trying to rush me through it. Or without trying to complete my sentences for me. Just from the kind of questions he asked, I could tell it was an opportunity worth exploring.

I had found a community worth staying in.

During future chats, I shared my dream of becoming a project manager. And Dan embraced that dream with open arms. I can proudly say: he taught me how to be one.

I came in looking to sharpen my podcasting skills. But I got so much more. I found a community. I made friends. I gained a mentor. And I started walking the path toward my career dream.

Dan had been running Story Luck for over a decade by then, he could probably do it with his eyes closed. And yet, he was (and still is) incredibly generous with his time and knowledge.

Every time I make a mistake, he gently nudges me back on track. And believe me, I’ve made a few! Just the other day, I sent out a mass email without including the event date or the ticket link. Oops.

But that’s the thing about Story Luck, it’s a space where you’re allowed to learn and grow.

I thought I was signing up to help others tell their stories. 

But in doing so, I unknowingly began writing a new chapter of my own. One filled with growth, and unexpected friendships. Who knew? A noisy video call would become part of my origin story as a project manager?

I came to Story Luck hoping to learn a few podcasting tricks. What I found was the confidence to believe in myself, a mentor who actually shows up, and a community willing to cheer me on tirelessly.

A cause speaks to you. Is it storytelling? The environment? Helping children in your community? Show up. Mess up. Learn. Grow. So, if you’ve been wondering whether volunteering is worth your time, let this be your not-so-subtle nudge, Yes, it is. And Story Luck would be an excellent place to start. Get in touch with us via email on support@storyluck.org to start your volunteering journey.