Words are fact language to the actions… I won’t go beyond Margaret J. Wheatley’s saying, “There is no power for change than the community discovering what it cares about”. Mother Teresa added “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”.
I was warmhearted for receiving an alert to be a CorpsAfrica volunteer, and that was the beginning of the whole dream story. I fell fond of the training that I was provided with. They were so equipped, with knowledge, skills and reliability. That did not last long, I was sent to the site to be who I was trained to be. The mission was to become an agent of changes, live with the community, share with the community and facilitate the community.
I remember reaching to the site; smiles were all around the host family, words and chats passing by like we’ve spent a month together. I couldn’t wait long enough to spread changes and chances got in Asset Based Community Development. Days passed by, love and courage moved everywhere in the community. Locals were the best to bring about fast and quick changes to help their locality, they got ideas, passionate and courageous to see the site change, now I was sensing something big going to change.
I was amazed by the project proposals they had. Community member tapped in every corner of their real life. That’s general development, household’s development and even their community based development. I won’t skip the love of empowerment I saw in older community members, not letting youths, kids and disabled people. Community wouldn’t stop showing that the important thing is to be constantly moving forward. Yes the progressive realization of a predetermined goal, and that goal should never end.
Being integrated in the community and doing everything together is the most strong part of my story. It roars up when it comes to smiles and appreciations from community members. From the idea to implementation, this volunteering experience made me take a pace in ideal things, it shaped my life. Living with community indeed is the best experience ever.
I met with challenges but I couldn’t quit. I found challenges as a sharp tool to shape success and fought hard to create a heart touching story to tell. My story is not yet done. Real things still on their way; changes and chances to exploit, meeting new people and making new experience; all aiming at shaping a life changed community member. That’s the biggest dream ever.