During his summer recess, a young companion travelled to Tangulbei a remote region in the North of Kenya, to volunteer at a hospital built and supported by the Order, where he came to understand that life itself is never to be taken for granted. Immersed in an environment marked by scarcity, he discovered the profound importance of standing with the poor and the sick, and of giving back from what one has been given. His experience serves as a reminder that compassion, when translated into concrete action, can bring hope to even the most isolated communities. It also illustrates how personal encounters with vulnerability can inspire a lifelong commitment to service.

This is how he summarized his 3 weeks experience and work, an impressive testimonial and invitation for young people to dedicate time for the people in need:

It showed me what real struggle looks like—and what real strength looks like too. People there make do with so little, yet they give so much. They work hard, they love their families, and they show up for each other. I saw mothers walk barefoot over mountains just to get their babies vaccinated. I saw kids carrying more responsibility than many adults. And I saw communities that functioned on trust, faith, and resilience. The hospital—and the people who worked in and around it—were vital to the survival of so many. That kind of dedication is something I’ll never forget. 

Looking back, I know I’ll carry this experience with me for the rest of my life. It’s changed the way I see my own potential and what I want to do moving forward. I don’t know exactly where my path will lead yet, but I know this: I want to live with intention, with purpose, and with the same kind of heart I saw every day in Tangulbei. There’s no excuse not to.