Seeds of Hope
Every Wednesday, the doors of the Impact One Library open, and children walk in ready to read, play, learn, and spend time together. Many come for the games, activities, or friendships they have built at the library.
Week after week, these Wednesdays create opportunities for children to explore new interests, develop their creativity, and see possibilities they may not have considered before.
One of those children is Webster.
For years, Webster has been a familiar face at Community Day. We've watched him grow—from being this very quiet little boy to being a creative teenager with ambition. He’s always loved books, and he would spend hours lying on our library mats, reading.
Webster reads a book under a bench
Last year, during an art class led by a local artist, Webster surprised us all. We knew he loved reading, but that session revealed another side of him—he was also a talented artist with a love for drawing. That session helped him see that his creativity could become something others would one day appreciate and enjoy. Since then, he has returned to our library with curiosity and excitement to practice and stretch his imagination.
This month, that imagination revealed yet another creative side of him.
Zambian author Aliness Phiri, who grew up right here in Ng’ombe, visited us for a special read-aloud from her book! Aliness gave our children someone they could relate to. Her story helped them see that where they come from does not have to determine where they can go.
After the read-aloud, she encouraged the children to write their own stories. Webster was so eager to write his own story that he combined his love for art with his wonderful sense of humour, creating something uniquely his own. His story caught Aliness's attention, and she took the time to encourage him and speak into his potential. When the activity ended, he looked up at us and said,
"I want to be an author one day."
Before we could respond, he asked:
"Can someone help me?"
That is the beauty of Community Day. At Impact One, we believe every child carries God-given potential. Sometimes what they need most is not extraordinary programs, but a community that faithfully walks alongside them—creating opportunities to learn, discover, imagine, and believe that their future can look different from their present.
Children are given opportunities they wouldn't normally have, and sometimes those opportunities change the way they see themselves. The presence of volunteers creates a space for our children to connect with role models and mentors they may not otherwise have the chance to meet. One conversation with a child can spark a lifelong dream and open their eyes to new possibilities for their future.
If you're looking for a meaningful way to invest in the life of a child, we'd love to have you join us. Whether you volunteer for a day or invest over time, you can help create the kind of opportunities that encourage a child to discover what they're capable of.
Aliness and Webster pose for a photo