My Story of Transformation and Connection
Becoming a Volunteer is not just a job—it’s a calling. For me, this journey began unexpectedly, yet it has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. On the morning of August 8, 2024, I opened an email that filled me with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. It was an invitation to […]
Chemistry to Community: Understanding the Catalyst Within
Let’s quickly go back to Chemistry class. Remember how catalysts work? Don’t worry—I’m not here to make you feel like you should have paid closer attention in high school! A catalyst is a substance that accelerates a reaction or provides the required change in temperature or pressure to ignite one, without being used up in […]
A Journey of Service: My CorpsAfrica Experience in Morocco
It was a day that remains vividly in my memory—the day I reached my second home, CorpsAfrica/Maroc, filled with a rush of excitement. The moment I stepped off the plane at Casablanca International Airport, I was filled with a mixture of anticipation and hope. The welcoming smiles of the CorpsAfrica/Maroc staff reassured me that I […]
Empowering Women through Liquid Soap Making in Endao Village: Exchange Volunteer in Baringo County
As a CorpsAfrica Exchange Volunteer from Rwanda in Endao village, Baringo County, Kenya, I had the opportunity to work alongside the Namkaa Women Group, a vibrant group of over 14 women eager to learn new skills. My task was to facilitate a liquid soap-making workshop, and the experience was both rewarding and inspiring. Using simple […]
Beyond Comfort: A Journey into the Heart of Rural Life
Arriving in my new community as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer, I was not ready for the surprise that awaited me. It was a quiet place, far from the busy world I was used to. But it wasn’t just the silence that surprised me—it was everything this community didn’t have. I had heard stories about rural life, […]
Facilitating Community Meetings: Empowering Communities for Sustainable Change
As a CorpsAfrica Volunteer serving in Eregi, Kenya, facilitating committee meetings has become a cornerstone of my work. These gatherings are more than discussions—they are dynamic platforms where ideas are shared, decisions are made, and collective action takes root. In the spirit of Community-Led Development (CLD), my role is to guide conversations and ensure every […]
Strong Matches; Rural Community Edition
In the heart of a verdure valley lies a rural community that flourishes on simplicity and strong relationships. The lush fields ripple like a green sea, dotted with humble homes, intertwining dirt roads, and a vibrant drapery of life. As part of my initiative to integrate and promote the CorpsAfrica mission, I embarked on a […]
“I Have Done This Before”– The Danger of Complacency and the Power of Discovery
There is a certain comfort that comes with familiarity. Having served as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer in my home country, Ghana, I thought I had it all figured out when I embarked on my current exchange service in Senegal. The thought “I’ve done this before” crept in, but as I settled into a different cultural setting, […]
Embracing the Journey: Reflections on Community, Challenges and Growth
Not a single day had I ever imagined being called Mwalimu. Perhaps it’s because of the roles I’ve played in my community so far, but I love and feel proud of the title. It’s a humbling experience that makes me wonder if schoolteachers feel the same way about the honor. In moments of reflection, I […]
Doses of Humility
One of the hardest humility pills I had to swallow was recognizing that not everyone would immediately embrace you or your ideas. In communities, especially those that have faced broken promises or misaligned interventions, people are familiar with NGOs giving handouts and often meet volunteers with skepticism. As a Volunteer, I quickly learned that my […]