When I first arrived in Mali Kunda,I quickly noticed that language played a big role in their  everyday life. People in the community spoke a language,the Fula language.This language was my father tongue.Something I had heard as a child and even as I grew,but never truly learned. It sounded beautiful and familiar, yet I couldn’t understand most of it. That made me feel like I was missing out on something very important. If I wanted to really connect with the people, I knew I had to try learning it.

At first, it was kind of scary. I didn’t know where to start, and I was worried about making mistakes. However,the community was kind and full of people who were excited to help me. I started listening closely during conversations, picking up words and trying to repeat them. Every little word or phrase I learned felt like a small win.

Now, I have to admit,my pronunciation wasn’t always the best. Actually, it was often very wrong. I remember trying to say something simple like “Cold water” but I accidentally said something closer to “water donkey”. The women and children burst out laughing, and I stood there confused and embarrassed until one of them corrected me while still giggling. Moments like that happened a lot. I’d say one word, and everyone would look at me like, “Did you really just say that?” We’d all end up laughing together. It became part of the learning process,a very funny part.

But honestly, those moments didn’t make me feel bad. If anything, they made me feel more connected. The people weren’t laughing at me to be mean,they were laughing with me, proud that I was even trying. They corrected me with kindness, and their laughter felt warm, not harsh. I realized that laughter can be one of the best teachers.

The best thing about learning through the community is that it’s not like sitting in a classroom. It happens naturally. You learn while walking to the bush to fetch firewood, helping cook food, or even  sitting under a tree chatting with kids. Bit by bit, I picked up useful words. Slowly, I started having real conversations,nothing too fancy, but enough to understand and be understood. That felt like a big win.

One of my favorite moments was when I managed to translate a few sentences from English at a meeting I was facilitating.. People present clapped and laughed in a good way this time, because I was saying them all right, not because I said something wrong. They felt proud.

That moment made me feel truly seen and accepted.

Learning my father tongue from the community has been one of the most beautiful parts of my volunteer journey. It’s not just about words,it’s about culture, history, and building real relationships. I still mix up  words sometimes, and people still laugh, but now I laugh too.

If you ever get a chance to learn your own language(or any other language)from the people who live it every day, take it. Don’t worry about being perfect. Just start. You’ll be surprised how far a few funny mistakes and a lot of heart can take you.