Sibomana and Maritha’s Journey

Our cook and house-help, Sibomana, and our security guard, Maritha, embarked on a shared mission: to conquer the language barrier that stood between them and effective communication. As I reflect on their transformation, I am reminded of the power of persistence and collaboration.

At Three Mountains, where we welcome various guests who don’t speak Kinyarwanda, proficiency in English is essential. However, Sibomana and Maritha lacked confidence due to their limited exposure to the language. Recognizing this challenge during our usual Monday meeting, I agreed to volunteer an hour weekly to help them improve their English skills.

Our journey began with a simple gesture—a laptop where they could search for tutorial videos to learn English conversations. I guided them through the initial searches, ensuring they found relevant content. The quiet afternoons became their sanctuary for learning. They practiced expanding their vocabulary and engaged in conversations.

The fact that Sibomana had attended an English language course became an asset. He patiently assisted Maritha, bridging gaps in their English skills. Weekly check-ins, where we discussed the new expressions they had learned, allowed me to fine-tune their skills, address weak points, and motivate them to continue pushing. Over two months, their transformation was evident. They now converse confidently with our boss in English and warmly welcome guests at the gate. Guests are now escorted to where they should be and no longer left to wander on the premises.

Sibomana’s achievements extend beyond just speaking. He can now search and learn new skills in English, such as “salary management,” “how to stay healthy for a long period,” and “how to cook vegetables in different ways.” His next goal is to improve his skills further by listening to motivational speeches and gaining confidence in speaking to non-Kinyarwanda speakers.

Maritha’s journey is equally inspiring. Despite starting this learning process while pregnant, she has significantly improved her English. She now confidently greets guests with phrases like “Welcome to Three Mountains,” “How are you doing?” and “How was your day?” Her next focus is on improving her overall speaking skills.

As I watch Sibomana and Maritha flourish, I am reminded that teaching adults a new language is indeed challenging, especially when it comes to speaking up, pronouncing words correctly, and the fear of committing grammatical mistakes. Yet, their determination and resilience prove that limits can be pushed.

It’s rewarding to realize that the learning culture of a company is not only about employees taking courses but also about employees helping and teaching each other. Additionally, I came to know Sibomana and Maritha better by being their coach on this learning journey.

Jovithe Ntwari