MOLLY HARDY

By Standing Voice

August 13^th, 2018

Molly Hardy is a Law graduate from the University of Exeter. Captivated by Standing Voice in the 2017 BBC documentary Born Too White, Molly was inspired to join our inaugural Summer Skills Workshop last year, travelling to Ukerewe Island in northern Tanzania to deliver community health consultations in partnership with nursing professor Quannetta Edwards. Humbled by the experience and eager to deepen her journey into our world and work, Molly returned to Ukerewe Island in June to teach English language workshops, before joining the school distribution team for Moon, Shining Bright!, a children’s picture book written to dispel myths around albinism.

My first trip to Tanzania in 2017 was so much more fulfilling than I could ever have anticipated. I felt so blessed to be around such amazing people, and to feel love in abundance. One moment that will stay with me forever came when a girl asked if I had any sunscreen she could use (she had used a bit the day before and loved the smell of it). I gave her some, and quickly lots of the little girls wanted to apply it too, so we shared it around. There was one group of sisters particularly intrigued by the sunscreen, all wanting some. The eldest sister had albinism and the younger two did not, but when they saw their sister applying it, they wanted it too! For me, that was so special: in their eyes, she’s exactly like them; if she’s having it, then they should too. It’s safe to say we all smelt amazing afterwards!

Last year, I was lucky enough to work with a fantastic, inspirational lady called Quin. We delivered health consultations to everybody who was taking part in the Summer Skills Workshop. Our main focus was monitoring and teaching dental hygiene, and it made me realise what we take for granted in the UK. The information we gave out was so incredibly well received. I couldn’t believe how much it meant to people just to receive a toothbrush and toothpaste at the end of each consultation. Their gratitude would resonate through the room.

This year, I was lucky enough to return to Ukerewe with Standing Voice for their second annual Summer Skills Workshop. This time, I worked alongside Sarah Bancroft—a journalist and fellow UK volunteer—to deliver English language lessons to all of the event’s beneficiaries. Through these sessions, I was able to build much stronger, more direct relationships with the participants, something I’d missed out on the year before but very much relished on this trip. My initial apprehensions about how people would take to the classes evaporated almost immediately: it was so clear from the first day how engaged and eager the students were, desperate to expand their vocabularies and practice speaking English! For me, the best part of the lessons was the support given by the more confident English speakers to those for whom the language was less familiar. Despite a vast range of abilities, there was a prevailing sense of determination, solidarity and community.

After the workshops ended, I was delighted to join the distribution team for Moon, Shining Bright!, an educational picture book written to dispel myths around albinism and improve children’s understanding of the condition through accessible storytelling. We visited schools to deliver readings of the book in assemblies, generating discussion and interactive engagement with some of the youngest and brightest minds on Ukerewe!

As ever, it was a pleasure to work alongside the Standing Voice team. I think everyone gets along so well because they’re united by a common purpose. Being surrounded by so much talent is inspiring, and it’s an honour to be welcomed into the family.

Volunteering at the Summer Skills Workshop is an excellent way to get to know the beneficiaries of Standing Voice, to put a human face on an issue that can otherwise feel quite distant and complex.

You can feel the impact the charity is having on the ground: it’s tangible, and concrete. If you feel you have a skill you could share, or the compassion to use your knowledge and time for the benefit of others, it’s an unforgettable experience you should definitely consider.