The "Yes" That Changed My Life

Shortly after earning my first university degree in Biochemistry, I did not want to stay idle, so I began teaching. Little did I know that this decision would lead me to discover my life's purpose.

My journey started in the classroom, where I taught children with different learning abilities. Every day, I met bright, intelligent learners who struggled with reading, writing, and Mathematics. They had enormous potential, yet many quietly battled challenges that often went unnoticed.

One child, in particular, left a lasting impression on me.

He had been promoted from one class to another without knowing his letter names or sounds. He could not read. Determined to help, I did everything I knew at the time. Looking back, I realize that although my heart was willing, I lacked the knowledge to support children with dyslexia effectively. I had never even heard of the word dyslexia, let alone understood how Structured Literacy could unlock a child's ability to read and express themselves confidently.

Everything changed one day while I was scrolling online.

I came across a call for volunteers from Dyslexia Help Africa, and something prompted me to say "yes." That single decision became the turning point of both my career and my life.

Through the volunteer programme, I received professional training in Structured Literacy and joined other volunteers to provide free reading intervention for children in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.

The results were remarkable!

Within three months, children who had participated in the programme, who initially were unable to identify letter names or sounds, were reading, with some becoming fluent. Watching those transformations was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. While helping those children discover their potential, I discovered my own purpose.

Following my performance during the programme, I was invited to join Dyslexia Help Learning Academy as a Dyslexia Coach. Over time, I grew into additional leadership roles, serving as Head Teacher and Administrator, while also supporting learners as a Mathematics Tutor and Handwriting Specialist.

Today, my work focuses on helping children with dyslexia and other learning differences read fluently, write legibly, build confidence in Mathematics, and rediscover the joy of learning through evidence-based Structured Literacy instruction.

My passion for advocacy also led me to volunteer with Dyslexia Project Africa, where I currently serve as Project Administrator. Our mission is to increase dyslexia awareness across primary schools in Africa by equipping volunteers with the knowledge they need to conduct Dyslexia awareness sessions.

Along this journey, I have learned a lesson that extends far beyond my profession.

Building impact is not simply about working harder. It is about learning to pause and reflect.

Like many women who love building impact, I once believed that constant activity was the same as progress. Experience has taught me otherwise. Some of my greatest breakthroughs have happened when I intentionally slowed down to reflect on what was working and what needed to change.

One experience remains unforgettable.

I was teaching a 20-year-old learner who struggled with reading fluency and written expression. She often joined our virtual classes 20 to 30 minutes late, rarely completed assignments, and seemed disengaged. Rather than assuming she lacked commitment, I paused and reflected.

That moment of reflection became my lightbulb moment.

I discovered that she was volunteering at a technology company, and her learning needs were closely connected to her daily experiences. I redesigned parts of her learning programme to make the lessons more relevant to her work environment. The transformation was incredible. She began attending classes on time, actively participating, completing her assignments, and submitting them promptly.

That experience reinforced a powerful truth for me: sometimes, changing the strategy, not the learner, makes all the difference.

Working with children and adults who learn differently continues to teach me that meaningful progress rarely comes from rushing. It comes from observing, adjusting intentionally, celebrating every small victory, and remaining patient with the learning process.

Today, reflection is one of the most valuable professional habits I have developed. It helps me become a better educator, create more effective learning experiences, and support every learner with greater empathy and purpose.

This season of my life is also about intentional visibility.

I believe that the more visible I become, the more families I can support, the more children I can reach, and the more awareness I can create about dyslexia and learning differences. Every conversation, every story, and every opportunity to educate brings us one step closer to a world where no child is overlooked because they learn differently.

None of this journey happened alone. I remain deeply grateful to Blessing Ingyape, Programme Director and CEO of Dyslexia Help Africa and Dyslexia Help Learning Academy, and Co-founder of Dyslexia Project Africa. Her vision for empowering educators and creating opportunities for service opened doors that have shaped my career and allowed me to impact countless lives.

Looking back, I realize I have built far more than a career.

I have built a purpose grounded in service, continuous learning, compassion, and hope.

If there is one message I would leave with every woman who is building something meaningful, it is this:

"Sometimes the opportunity that changes your life begins with one courageous 'yes." And often, your greatest breakthroughs come not from moving faster, but from pausing to reflect, learning from the journey, and continuing to build with purpose."