Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Scholarship Programme graduate Tinotenda Chandengenda joined our family at the age of 13. Based in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, he attended Chinotimba primary, and then Mosi-oa-Tunya Secondary schools, and is currently studying Software Engineering. He recently volunteered two weeks of his personal time to work with our Zambezi team in the CITW Victoria Falls office. We hope you are as inspired as we are by Tino’s wonderful update…
When I think about my life journey, I realise it is impossible to separate it from Children in the Wilderness. I first became part of the CITW family when I was 13 years old through the Scholarship Programme. At that age, I could never have imagined how much that opportunity would shape the person I am becoming today. What began as educational support grew into something much bigger – a community that believed in me, invested in my future, and encouraged me to dream beyond my circumstances.
Over the years, CITW has walked alongside me through different stages of my life. They celebrated my achievements, encouraged me through challenges, and reminded me that education is not just about passing exams but about becoming someone who can make a meaningful contribution to society. Looking back now, I realise that every opportunity I received through CITW helped build my confidence and strengthened my belief that I could pursue a career in technology.
From the 13th to the 24th of July 2026, I had the privilege of giving back to CITW by volunteering with this organisation that has invested so much in me. Coming to CITW was a full-circle moment, as I was able to contribute my own skills and knowledge as a software engineering student. It was incredibly rewarding to support the organisation that has supported me for so many years.
During my two weeks as a volunteer, I worked on updating and organising the CITW Zambezi database of every student, teacher and Eco-Mentor – their personal details as well as all their activities (such as Eco-Clubs, camps, field trips, literacy centres and other programmes). At first glance, it seemed like a straightforward administrative task, but it quickly became clear how vital accurate information is to the smooth running of an organisation. Every record represents a child, a family, a donor, or a programme that depends on reliable systems and careful management. That experience taught me that even the smallest tasks have a much bigger impact than we often realise.
Working alongside the CITW team also gave me valuable insight into what professionalism really means. I learned the importance of accountability, attention to detail, effective communication, and meeting deadlines. These are qualities that cannot always be taught in a classroom – they are developed through real experience, responsibility, and working with people who trust you to deliver.
As someone studying Software Engineering, I naturally began viewing the organisation through a technology lens. While working with the database, I found myself thinking about ways technology could make everyday processes more efficient. I could see opportunities to improve how information is stored, accessed, and managed through a centralised digital system. Although it is still an idea, volunteering at CITW has inspired me to think seriously about developing a platform that could streamline operations and make life easier for staff, allowing them to spend more time focusing on the communities they serve.
That experience reminded me why I chose software engineering in the first place. Technology is not simply about writing code – it is about solving real problems for real people. Seeing the practical needs of an organisation like CITW reinforced my desire to build solutions that create lasting impact.
As I prepare to return to university and move closer to graduation, I feel even more excited about the future. Alongside strengthening my software engineering skills, I want to deepen my knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and explore how AI can be used to solve everyday challenges faced by organisations, businesses, and communities. My long-term ambition is to become an AI Engineer and eventually establish my own software company that develops practical, innovative solutions designed around the needs of the people who use them.
None of these aspirations would exist in quite the same way without the journey I have had with CITW. From a 13-year-old scholarship recipient with big dreams to a young adult returning to volunteer and give back, I can clearly see how much I have grown. CITW has done more than support my education – it has helped shape my character, my values, and my vision for the future.
I am deeply grateful to everyone at CITW for believing in me long before I fully believed in myself. The opportunities, encouragement, and guidance I have received over the years have left a lasting mark on my life. As I continue pursuing my education and building my career, I hope to honour that investment by using my skills to create solutions that improve livesm and by always finding ways to give back, just as CITW has given so much to me.
