Small Everyday Skills Became the Building Blocks of My Confident New Life By Rolyn Oyanib
I joined VODW simply wanting to gain more knowledge, and over one to two years across ESOL, IT, Mediacom, Body Mind and Wellness, and Financial Literacy, that is exactly what I found, along with something I perhaps was not expecting: a stronger sense of who I am. I started my journey excited rather than nervous, ready to see what these classes could offer someone like me.
In my IT class especially, I discovered skills that many people take for granted but that opened real doors for me, learning to copy and paste, to send emails, and to navigate the basic digital tools that shape so much of everyday life in the UK. These might sound like small victories, but for a domestic worker who has had limited access to formal education or technology before, each new skill chips away at isolation and builds a bridge toward independence. Along the way, I became more resilient, carrying that resilience with me well beyond the classroom walls.
I am thoughtful about how the experience changed me. I became more confident in my abilities and more aware of the importance of self discipline, responsibility, and hard work, qualities that do not simply appear on their own but are cultivated through consistent effort and encouragement. That growth culminated in an award recognising my progress, a moment that clearly filled me with pride and reinforced everything I had been building toward.
On graduation day, I felt happy and proud of myself, a fitting reward for the discipline and determination I had shown throughout my time with VODW. My gratitude to my teachers is heartfelt and specific, thanking them for the opportunity to learn, grow, and build confidence, three things I clearly do not take for granted.
Looking ahead, I want other domestic workers to know what I have discovered for myself, that VODW's classes are a safe and friendly place where everyone can learn at their own pace, make new friends, and gain confidence.
That message of welcome matters just as much as any single lesson, because it invites more workers into a space where they can build not only skills but the self belief needed to stand up for their rights, whether that means understanding financial literacy, navigating IT systems with ease, or one day advocating for the right to change employer, renew a visa, or settle permanently in the UK. My story shows how much can grow from a simple decision to gain a little more knowledge, and how far that growth can carry a person once it begins.
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