I Came to Volunteer. I Found a Family.

When Emily first joined SHINE, she thought it would be a one-time outreach. A friend had told her about a uniform drive happening in Lagos, and she came along, curious but unsure. That day changed everything.

She remembers holding the measuring tape nervously at first, then laughing as children giggled through their fittings. By afternoon, she was handing out shoes and singing with the pupils. “I didn’t expect to feel this connected,” she later said. “I came to help others, but I found something deeper — belonging.”

Since that day, Emily has become one of SHINE’s most dedicated volunteers. She now mentors new recruits and helps coordinate the SHINE Scholars Support Scheme (4S) — ensuring that learners who show promise but struggle financially can continue their education. “SHINE taught me that you don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference,” she says. “You just have to care enough to act.”

Her journey mirrors the spirit of SHINE itself — people from different walks of life coming together to lift others. Through shared compassion and consistent action, they become more than volunteers; they become family. Emily’s story is a reminder that the light we give to others often finds its way back to us.