Healing Through Service with Refuge Network International
Father's Day after loss is a day that carries a heavy weight for me. I wrote recently about Missing My Dad on Father's Day, and how this day still feels like a quiet ache, a reminder of what’s gone. This year, instead of letting grief take over completely, I chose a different path. I spent the day volunteering with Refuge Network International, and it changed how I experienced the day.
A Different Way to Face Father's Day after Loss
A few days before Father's Day, I came across an announcement for an outreach organised by RNI in Nairobi and immediately knew I wanted to be part of it. Father's Day is often a difficult day for me, and this year felt even heavier as I continue grieving the loss of my mum. I knew there was a good chance I would spend the day at home, sitting with my grief, missing my dad, and feeling the weight of both losses.
Volunteering gave me a chance to step outside my own pain and connect with others who face their own struggles. It reminded me that grief and volunteering can coexist. Serving others doesn’t erase loss, but it can bring a sense of healing.
Meeting People and Finding Connection
One of the things that stayed with me most was meeting people who are navigating incredibly difficult circumstances every single day. We visited families living in conditions that many of us can hardly imagine, where even the simplest necessities can feel out of reach.
Yet despite those challenges, what I remember most are the smiles.
I also won't forget the blessings that were spoken over us throughout the day.
"Mungu awabariki sana." - May God bless you so much.
"Kwenye inatoka iongezeke." - May where it's coming from be multiplied.
"Msiwahi kosa." - May you never lack.
As we continued with the outreach, I found myself thinking about all the times people say, "God bless you." But hearing it from people who have so little and yet are still willing to pray for someone else felt different.
At one point, I remember saying, "From all these 'God bless yous,' you can't miss a genuine one." In other words, among all those heartfelt blessings, surely one is bound to find its way straight to heaven. One volunteer replied, "True."
It was a simple exchange, but one that has stayed with me.
The experience reinforced something I have come to believe deeply: one of the most meaningful ways we can honour the people we love is through kindness. My dad believed in helping others whenever he could, and as I spent the day serving alongside Refuge Network International, I felt like I was carrying a small piece of his legacy forward.
About Refuge Network International Nairobi
Refuge Network International (RNI) is a London-based NGO founded on the belief that everyone deserves equitable access to food and an adequate standard of living. The organization is dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities in different parts of the world through practical assistance and compassionate action. Their work focuses on providing food, shelter, education, and emotional support to those who need it most, including families affected by poverty, conflict, and natural disasters.
The Father's Day outreach I joined marked RNI's first outreach in Nairobi, Kenya. It brought together volunteers with a shared desire to serve and connect with members of the community facing difficult circumstances.
The founder, Charles Gimoh, stood out as a beacon of generosity and humility. His dedication to helping others is evident in every interaction. Charles listens more than he speaks, and his kindness feels genuine and contagious.
Charles and the Magic Backpack
One of the lighter moments of the day came from Charles’s backpack. At first glance, it looked like any ordinary bag. But as the day went on, it kept producing more and more snacks and goodies. I was honestly surprised at how much could fit inside one bag.
He happily shared the treats with everyone. That simple act of sharing reminded me that generosity often shows up in unexpected ways. It doesn’t have to be grand or flashy; sometimes, it’s just about offering what you have with an open heart, like the candies, biscuits, and chocolates.
Carrying Gratitude and Connection Forward
By the end of the day, I still missed my dad deeply. Grief doesn’t disappear just because you’re busy helping others. But I left carrying something else too: gratitude, connection, and a reminder that healing can come from showing up for others.
Finding purpose in pain is not about forgetting loss. It’s about weaving grief into a life that still holds meaning. Volunteering with Refuge Network International gave me a way to do that on a day that often feels so hard.
Honoring a loved one's legacy through kindness can be a quiet, powerful way to heal. Sometimes, the best way to remember those we love is by reaching out and sharing kindness with the people around us.
I really resonate with your story. Being part of the volunteering community outreach at Refugees International Network also gave me a sense of connection and healing in a very unexpected way. It’s beautiful how service can create space for both grief and hope at the same time. Meeting different people, sharing moments, and supporting others reminded me that we are never truly alone in what we go through. Thank you for sharing your journey so openly,it’s inspiring and comforting to read.
Wow.i really love this article..I was so emotional through the day feeling the absence of two most important men who are fathers but reading through this I've been reminded in as much as grief exist so does our love for our Departed ones and that is the beauty of it👏🏽
Your story is a powerful reminder that grief and healing can coexist. While we never stop missing those we love. We can honor their memory through acts of kindness and service. Thank you for sharing such a genuine reflection. May your father's legacy continue to live on through the lives you touch and the compassion you show others. 🌿🙏🏽