Have you ever arrived somewhere with a clear plan, only to have it completely rewritten by love, laughter, and singing elders? That was my story during my first week in Dutare.

The journey began at exactly 9:00 a.m. when I departed from the peaceful and green surroundings of Amakuza Resort in Kanyinya Sector. After six hours of scenic travel, waving at cows, counting endless banana trees, and surviving a few dramatic road bumps, we finally arrived in Huye District, Ruhashya Sector, at 3:00 p.m.

As soon as I stepped out of the vehicle, I was greeted with the kind of warmth that makes you forget how tired you are. My host family welcomed me like a long-lost relative. There was joy, laughter, and those unforgettable hugs that say, “You’re home now.” I was shown my living space, settled in, and just like that, my first day ended beautifully.

A few days later, I attended a community meeting where I introduced myself and shared the mission of CorpsAfrica to work closely with communities, especially the youth, to facilitate sustainable, community-led change. I also explained that everyone is part of the development journey, even though my main focus would be young people.

But Dutare elders had other plans.

Right after my speech, one elder walked up to me and said,
“Young man, you said you want to work with youth, but what about us?”

For a moment, I froze, then I smiled. That single question changed everything. I realized that the elders of Dutare were not just observers. They were ready to roll up their sleeves and get involved.

And they did not waste a single day. Within just two days, they had formed a savings group on their own, forty members strong. No official notice. No long planning meetings. Just pure commitment and energy.

They invited me to their first gathering the following Monday. When I arrived, I was welcomed with traditional songs, clapping, and the kind of joyful spirit that makes even the shyest person want to dance. It felt less like a meeting and more like a festival. Before I knew it, I had been unofficially “adopted” as their grandson.

During my community integration visits, I went to the home of Mr. Deogracias, where more than forty elders, men and women, were waiting to meet me. They told me they wanted to unite, collaborate, and contribute to community development. We talked about improving sanitation, building better stoves, and supporting one another in old age through their new savings group.

One elder cheerfully said, “You must come to my farm and give me a hand.” And of course, I accepted the challenge.

Soon after, I joined members of the Abasheshekanguhe Dutare group at the home of Ms. Antoinette Nyirabikari. Together, we helped her cultivate her coffee plantation. I expected hard labor, but what I got instead was a musical farming show. People were singing, laughing, and sharing jokes while weeding. If farming were a concert, this would have been a sold-out show.

Their energy was contagious. In that moment, I realized something powerful: partnership is not about age, it is about heart.

I came to work with all community members, but what I found was a group of loving, determined, and joyful elders who refused to be left behind. They embraced me, supported me, and showed me what true collaboration looks like.

They do not just talk about development. They dance, sing, save, farm, and live it. And they made me part of their family from day one.

So yes, my deployment started with a plan. But in Dutare Village, the elders lovingly rewrote it.And I could not be more grateful.