Having served in Ghana as a volunteer, my journey began with a six-week intensive pre-service training that prepared me to facilitate community development using Community-Led Development (CLD), Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), and Human-Centered Design (HCD). Those tools became more than concepts; they became my compass. During my community service in Ghana, they guided me through the challenges, shaping projects that were not only community-led but also impactful. Looking back, I sometimes laugh and think, “I must have looked like a master of CLD,” because I didn’t just survive the challenges, I thrived. The experience strengthened my belief that true change happens when communities lead their own development.

Now, in Kenya, my journey has taken on a different flavor. This time, it wasn’t just about serving, it was about adapting. Five weeks of culture and language facilitation introduced me to the basics of transitioning into a new context. The food was my first hurdle. Coming from Ghana, where spicy meals are a norm, adjusting to food with little or no spice was a struggle. I remember feeling queasy after meals and dreading meal announcements, as though I were about to serve a punishment. Add to that the chilly weather, and my body felt like it was waging a quiet rebellion. Yet, amid these challenges, I found warmth in people that exceeded the cold of the climate and the unfamiliarity of the food. Their openness, kindness, and resilience reminded me why I chose this path of service.

Fast forward to another Pre-Service Training (PST), this time in Kenya. While the structure felt familiar, the experience was entirely new. It wasn’t only about learning facilitation methods but also about immersing myself in a new language, culture, and context. The trainers were different, the participants were different, and so was I. At one point, it truly felt like I was starting all over again. 

And maybe that’s the beauty of it. I’ve realized that no two communities are the same. My experience in Ghana, as valuable as it was, cannot be a template for Kenya. Communities are dynamic, unique, and evolving. As a facilitator, my role is not to bring answers but to come as a learner, open to being shaped, challenged, and transformed alongside the people I serve.

I do not know exactly what the next year will look like. What I do know is this: I am praying for a community with the right challenges to stretch me, and with the right openness to embrace growth and development. My hope is that by the end of my service, my time here will stand as a testament to the power of mindset change and community-led development.