Last year, my wife and I made a decision that changed us in ways we didn’t expect. We signed up to volunteer abroad. Not just to tick a box or feel good about ourselves, but because we were both looking for something with real purpose. We ended up in Zanzibar, working in education through a project with NomuHub – an Omani based social enterprise that connects volunteers with development projects in countries across Africa and beyond. What followed was one of the most meaningful experiences of our lives and something that’s stayed with us every day since.
The tagline of NomuHub – travel with a purpose – isn’t just a slogan but a promise of meaningful connection and of contributing in a tangible way to a brighter future. For one week in East Africa, we worked alongside a group of volunteers from all over the GCC to help build a better space for kids to learn in.
We were based about 30 minutes outside of Stone Town, in a rural village where the school clearly needed some attention. The classrooms were run down – a few didn’t even have proper floors or blackboards – and the overall setup just wasn’t a place where kids could properly focus or thrive.
The goal wasn’t to build a brand-new school, but to renovate and improve what was already there. We worked on refurbishing three or four classrooms, helped organise the teachers’ rooms, and painted murals to brighten the place up. Around 200 to 250 kids use those spaces, so it was time and energy well spent.
We mixed cement and concrete, plastered walls inside and out, and painted vibrant educational walls in bright, uplifting colours, clearing years of wear and tear to make space for a new start. We even crafted blackboards from scratch – simple yet powerful tools for learning.
But it wasn’t just the building that stuck with me, it was the people. Meeting the kids and getting to know the community hit me harder than I expected. There was something about their quiet strength that really stayed with me. They didn’t have much, but they gave everything, from time and humour to music and stories.
NomuHub Creates Unforgettable Moments
Some of the best moments happened after we put the tools down. We kicked a ball around, sang, messed about with the kids, their energy was unreal. One afternoon, it started pouring, a true downpour. Instead of heading for cover, we ended up in this chaotic, hilarious game of football in the mud, slipping everywhere, soaked through, laughing non-stop. That moment, drenched and beaming, was such a simple reminder of the happiness that can come from human connection.
There’s one moment I won’t forget. A kid who couldn’t have been more than ten years old, came up to me, smiled, and said ‘thank you’ in perfect English. Just two words. But it made everything we’d done feel worth it. You could feel how much it meant, not just to him, but to the whole community.
This trip reminded me that volunteering isn’t about saving others or giving from a place of privilege. It’s about standing alongside others in solidarity. It’s about using your hands, heart, and time to make even a small difference, because those small differences matter.
On the last day, we handed out school supplies, clothes, and a few toys we’d brought from home. It wasn’t part of the official mission, but it meant a lot. NomuHub stays in touch with the schools, so we’ll get updates, and it’s good to know there’s a local team on the ground keeping the momentum going.
Zanzibar gave us far more than we could ever give back – new friendships, unforgettable memories, and fulfillment. We left behind walls, floors, and a blackboard, but we also left behind pieces of our hearts.
To anyone considering a volunteering journey like this: do it. Go with an open mind, a willing spirit, and a deep respect for the people you will meet. You’ll come back changed, in the best way.
About NomuHub
NomuHub is an Omani social enterprise based in the UAE that offers meaningful travel experiences rooted in sustainability, cultural exchange, and community impact. Their initiatives focus on sectors such as education, construction, healthcare, and entrepreneurship across several countries in Africa and Asia. Learn more at nomuhub.com.
Author Bio: Ryadh Kaddour is the founder of Revolve Communications, a Dubai-based brand and PR agency. Outside of his work, he is passionate about social impact and travel with purpose. You can follow his journey on Instagram at @ryadhkaddour.
