At just twenty-one, Tinotenda Mubayi once believed his future had reached a dead end. After sitting for his O-Level examinations and passing only two subjects instead of the five he had hoped for, he felt his dreams slipping away. Coming from an underprivileged background, Tinotenda thought his chances of building a meaningful career were over.

But what seemed like the end of the road turned out to be the beginning of a remarkable journey. Tinotenda had always been willing to lend a helping hand. As a member of a church that is registered with the Volunteers Association of Zimbabwe, (VAZ), he regularly participated in community volunteer activities. It was through this spirit of service that an unexpected opportunity came his way.

When Bethel Hospitality Training Institute called for young volunteers from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply for scholarships, Tinotenda was among those nominated. His dedication to volunteering set him apart, and he became one of three young volunteers who was awarded the scholarship. Today, Tinotenda is studying towards a National Foundational Certificate in Hospitality and Catering. What surprised him the most is discovering a natural talent he never knew he had. Now part of the class of 2026, he has quickly emerged as one of the top-performing students. For Tinotenda, a simple act of volunteering did more than help others it opened a door to a future he once thought was impossible.

“Why NGOs are opting for Volunteers”

Being a volunteer helped Rudo Mhagah Mavunga to secure a position with an NGO at a time when job opportunities are scarce because of funding constraints. At a time when resources are stretched and priorities continue to shift, many NGOs increasingly rely on volunteers to keep their work moving forward. People who offer their time and skills often demonstrate a deep commitment to making a difference something that is invaluable to organizations driven by purpose.

Rudo Mavunga has been working in the NGO sector for over 9 years and gained extensive experience in the area of agriculture, entrepreneurship and creating market linkages women. Over the past few years, she had found it very difficult to get a job opening and recently decided to volunteer her services and landed a placement with a local NGO.

“I believe this chance will help me remain relevant in the marketplace, and I’m thrilled to use my expertise to positively impact communities,” she said.

Through her volunteer work, Rudo will gain practical experience while the organization gets to observe her dedication, reliability, and ability to engage with communities qualities that could position her strongly should future opportunities arise.

“I am happy that as a volunteer, I will help to strengthen the heart of the organization, so that even in these challenging times, the mission to serve communities continues.

Rudo is also ready to inject new energy and ideas as she supports the implementation of vital programmes in communities.