Blog Archives - CORPSAFRICA

Life as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer, the Journey So Far

2/28/2023

Written by CorpsAfrica/Ghana Volunteer Iddrisu Issahaku

My life has been full of anxiety ever since the CorpsAfrica journey started; an anxiety that moves from one stage to the other. After putting in my application in July 2021, I was anxious about whether I would be invited for an interview or not. After I was called for an interview in September of 2022, I was now anxious about whether I will be given an opportunity to serve or not. The anxiety level was so high at this point but I kept assuring myself that it shall be well.
When I finally got a congratulatory message in October, I told myself that I was now a happy person. Little did I know that another anxiety awaited me even as I was preparing to for my Pre-Service Training (PST). Having arrived in Accra earlier on Saturday, November 12, 2022, I finally joined some colleagues who came from the north in the early hours of Sunday, November 13, 2022, at Achimota New Station. The reception from the CorpsAfrica staff gave me the impression that I was coming to join a family. And exactly as I thought, the experience at PST was just like being with a family.

Everything about PST gave me joy but anytime I remembered that I didn’t know the community I was heading to, my old anxiety set in again. Every day, I prayed that the communities would be mentioned to us so that I will be at peace. I realized that I wasn’t the only one having these anxieties.

When I was finally told that I where I was assigned, I became happy but at the same time I became sad. I was happy because I knew for a fact that my community was in the north and I had almost every thing in common with the community like language and culture. This gave me a little bit of joy. However, when I listened to the expectations of people and thought about going to live in a community I didn’t know much about, also gave me a number of sleepless nights.

I finally arrived in the Savelugu Municipal at about 6:30pm on the 6th of January 2023, I was the last person to be dropped off. I was happy to see that my host family had prepared ahead to receive me in the community. The following morning, I was introduced to the community and from there life as a Volunteer started.

In the past 2 months in the community, I spent time interacting with students, men, women and youth groups. Just listening and observing has taught me invaluable lessons as a Volunteer and development agent, and I am prepared to learn more going forward.

Strangers That Become Family

2/28/2023

Written by CorpsAfrica/Malawi Volunteer Mr. Washington Chifunda

The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said; “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. I definitely agree with him, because no one in this life has ever got anywhere without starting the journey.

My CorpsAfrica journey started when I had to travel from Blantyre to Lilongwe on a Monday to attend my interview on Tuesday at 10 in the morning. I was very excited to be called for an interview but at the same I had some interview fever. I vividly remember my mom calling to give me encouragement, which helped me regain my confidence and do the interview. After some days I received the news I was hoping for: I had been selected to be in the 2022/2023 cohort of CorpsAfrica Trainees.

We underwent a 6-weeks pre-service training (PST) before becoming Volunteers. After swearing in as Volunteers, we were deployed to our respective sites. The day I was going to my site in Dedza, I was a little bit stressed as I had no knowledge of the people I was going to meet in the community. Few questions popped into my head; Is it a safe site? Are the people there welcoming? How about my host family, are they good people?

I started feeling better after I met with my host family who welcomed me like I was no stranger. Now I am a fully-fledged member of the community as I participate in several activities in the community and work together with the community youth club, Village Development Committee (VDC) and other community development clubs. I have been making soap with a soap making group, moulding bricks with the youth club, attending community meetings, weddings and other activities as part of my integration in the community. My integration has been going very well and am now super excited and ready to continue serving as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer.

Meeting my host family.

Moulding bricks with the Youth Club.

Attending a community meeting.

Making soap with the soap-making group in the community.

My Integration Journey in Wamale Community

2/27/2023

Written by CorpsAfrica/Ghana Volunteer, Rahinatu Mohammed

My thoughts on being deployed to my community began during the last week of Pre-Service Training (PST). I was looking forward to the community experience and at the same time I was anxious about what it would be like. An inner voice kept on assuring me that it would be fine especially since I had had my Third Trimester Field Practical Program in the university. The day finally arrived and I made all the necessary preparations as I waited for the Volunteer Liaison Officer's call. Around 10 am on the 6th of January, I was picked up from the house. We then went round to pick up the remaining Volunteers. Gradually, the bus was filled with the other Northern Volunteers. We started our journey to drop the Volunteers in the Tamale Metro District since it was closer to Tamale and I was the first to be dropped off. We met the assembly man who led us to the chief. We met his elders and they informed us that they had prepared a room for me in the chief's palace. They cleaned the room for me and helped me unpack. Later in the evening, I was introduced to the chief and his family.

The next day, I decided to go around the community to interact with the people. I entered a number of houses to introduce myself and explain the mission of CorpsAfrica. Some of the community members thought I was giving out loans, but after explaining what we do, they were excited and told me they would give me their support. They also advised me to be patient with them.

As part of my integration, I began teaching in the community basic school. I had some activities with the students so I could get to know them better. I also interacted with the weavers, seamstresses and the Village Savings and Loans Group. On weekends, I followed some of my host sisters to the community dam to wash our clothes and I also helped my host mother sell her food.

So far, my life in the community has been amazing. The people are hospitable and they always try to make life comfortable for me. I have improved my communication and public speaking skills as well as the ability to interact with people and teach in the basic school.
I'm grateful for this journey and I look forward to more beautiful experiences with my community members.

I had a session on career guidance with the Wamale M/A JHS students.

I had a colouring activity with the nursery children of the Wamale Smart Start Academy.

I met a group of weavers to have a discussion on the mission and development approaches of CorpsAfrica.

The End From the Start: Walking the Volunteer Talk

2/22/2023

Written by CorpsAfrica/Ghana Volunteer Mr. Daniel Akebe Amoah (One Danny)

On my first night on site, I thought it was going to be a night that I will be on an anesthesia in order to sleep away not just my stress and worries but my fears. Someone will ask if I got that anesthetic night? It is a big no. Rather it was a night of an active mental marathon in thinking and strategizing on how;

I was going to wake up to the community’s stare
I was going to be that Volunteer, CorpsAfrica trained
I was going to start my integration and where I would start from.

Morning came and there I stood, behind the door to my room after I had dressed up to go on rounds. Doing what? Hmmm! Rehearsing how to walk, talk and especially speak a language to replace the community’s language: Ewe, which I didn’t understand as well as how to win over the community.

I finally stepped out, greeted my host family and took off to start from one of the peripheral sections of my community which should take you 7 minutes or less on foot. I was escorted by my host family’s son, popularly called “Uncle” (who is 7 years old and in class 2). As we walked, we were not talking because he could not speak English and I also could not speak the local dialect but in place of oral communication, we kept smiling at each other and our hearts were at peace. Before I forget, Uncle was my only hope in taking pictures for and of me, and guess what he delivered. Wait till I show you his shots.

The walk lasted more than 7 minutes. Why? Because of the fear of what to expect, it was as if whenever I took a step forward, I also took 100 steps back. Please don’t laugh.

The time of reckoning had come! I arrived at the very first household and greeted them, “Good morning”. It was as silent as a cemetery. This gave me the feedback that I wouldn’t get anywhere with my English phonetics so I quickly switched to “Twi” (a local language largely spoken by most Ghanaians). Though my “twi” was not the best melody you would want to hear, it got me a seat and an opportunity to engage the household while we (the household members, Uncle and I) worked on the palm nuts they had harvested. Fast forward, I made a friend from there who accompanied Uncle and I to the other households, and through similar stories in other households, I became a friend of the entire community.

I became the Volunteer the community was waiting for, not because I was a messiah but in community work, one has to appreciate community dynamics like: observing more, making no interpretations, asking relevant questions, creating a psychologically safe environment for others and building trust, just to mention a few. The above things I did, got me the magic and much more which I will share with you……. Come along with me. I worked on farms, roasted “gari”, worked as a laborer and taught as a classroom teacher. I’m still teaching and will be teaching for my entire stay. I also attended funerals.

In a split moment, I phased out of the panic zone (a zone characterized by fear, uncertainty and self-doubt) into the comfort zone. This switch from the panic zone to the comfort zone was extremely relieving. However, for some reason, I still thought the switch was not true, but I was made to realize that I was indeed in a comfort zone. Though page 18 of my volunteer handbook says, “Outsiders are not insiders”, in my case I earned it through a significant personal sacrifice and commitment. However, I may remain an outsider, but while it may last, I have the singular honor of redefining development and making that lasting impact according to CorpsAfrica standards.
My household visits, the friend I made. Also, my hands on palm nuts for first time ……Uncle took this shot

Roasting “gari” (flour made out of cassava), a livelihood in every household in my community… Uncle is the one in front of me.

Returning from the farm.

A Worth Living Experience

2/22/2023

Written by CorpsAfrica/Rwanda Volunteer Ms. Emelyne Umunyana

"No man is an island," said John Donne.
In his poem, John Donne attempts to provide facts about how people are somehow interconnected. Sometimes, many people believe that vulnerable groups or communities have nothing to offer, but everyone has something to offer and something to learn from.

Joining CorpsAfrica was a lifetime opportunity. I am saying this because it sharpened me and helped me identify my full potential. Before, what would "away from home" on the site look like? Later on, after training, I was equipped with the knowledge and skills I needed and eagerly awaited my deployment to my current site. It seemed as if a fantasy had come true.

When I arrived on the site, being welcomed by a caring family was beautiful. I had no idea my host family would be so warm and welcoming. But I was amazed by how they treated my fellow Volunteers and me. I used to wonder how I would cope in a different environment with other people. I had no idea, but to my surprise, I found connecting with my host family easy and felt at ease from the first day. Our bond grew stronger as I assisted them with all household tasks and other house chores, such as going to the field, cooking, and so on.

Later, I attended my first meeting with members of the community. I was nervous because I was new to the community, but the meeting was my best chance to introduce myself. I remember being greeted with a warm smile and beautiful hugs. This positive energy affirmed that this community is deserving of my time here. From that day on, I said, "This is just the beginning." Until now, I have never regretted being a Volunteer, and I never will.

I recall CorpsAfrica providing us with Human Centered Design and Asset Based Community Development as our essential development tools to use in the community during our service. During pre-service training, we shared a saying: "We should put a smile on people's faces." I made that my motto: everything I do must benefit the community. Furthermore, I want to devote all my efforts to empowering the community and changing their mindsets so that by the time I leave, they can stand on their own and continue to be at the forefront of their development by leading the social-economic impact in their community. The experience in the community has been tremendous, and it has been such a learning environment for me and a safe place to be. Speaking of the community, I was surprised to see how things are done through solidarity and cooperation.

So far, I am confident that the community has much to offer when there is a desire to learn because everyone has unique skills and the ability to contribute. I learned how to make pots out of clay and am now expanding my knowledge. As a result, from my experience, vulnerability is not a sign of inability but rather the source of innovation, creativity, and change. We can overcome all odds if we work together.

Deployment to Site: A Trip of Expectations

2/21/2023

Written by a CorpsAfrica/Ghana Volunteer: Mr. Daniel Akebe Amoah (aka One Danny)

It was all a cruise of certainty and joy as I made my way to the CorpsAfrica/Ghana Office at East Legon in Accra. I sat in the Trotro with smiles that could last a century and that continued till I arrived at the office, without feeling any stress nor a sense of losing touch with family, friends and loved ones.

Night soon came and I had to sleep after a long journey from the northern part of Ghana to the southern part of Ghana, which should not take you less than 12 hours. My night was not a stress-reliever but rather a night of mental stress from the trip; thinking of whether I had to be there in the first place and waiting to be deployed in the name of volunteerism and community work. Though I managed to close my eyes, I intermittently snapped out of it till it was morning. Hmmmm!

Morning came and the line “the D – day is here” hit me so hard that I relapsed into my nightmare of whether I had made the right decision or not? I stepped out of bed and into the shower still holding myself to ransom for taking this decision.

We set off from the Country Office at exactly 6:12 am with our Volunteer Liaison (Mr. Isaac Obodai) and had to pick up some few colleagues as they arrived from their homes for deployment. The expectation to see the family I had made from PST (Pre-Service Training) kept me calm as well as my adrenaline level. After an hour when everyone was picked and we finally hit the road, trying to navigate our way out of the capital city, Accra, I was still at ease because I had a lot to feed my eyes on while stirring out the window. After hours on the road from Accra to Cape Coast, we finally initiated a curve where we were told that we are almost there. Little did I know that the statement had a “placebo effect” to make us feel good. Then we started on a long, dusty, untarred, never ending and yet no signage road for about 20 minutes with high speed. My name was mentioned, “One Danny, we are going to your community”. That moment, I relapsed into my nightmare without a second thought.

Finally appearing out of the “woods”, we saw the first set of houses. Then my Volunteer Liaison said, “One Danny, this is one section of your community” while we moved along and eventually arrived in front of one mud structure on a high ground. At that moment, I shouted, “in the middle of nowhere” and started cursing the day I considered volunteerism as the way to go. In the heat of the moment, I had colleague Volunteers helping me to locate my luggage. I kept refusing REALITY and patting myself on the back that it was just a prank……hmmm! But all my coping strategies lost potency the very moment my luggage was found and then I was shown the room where I was to spend not just the night but 10 months in as a CorpsAfrica/Ghana Volunteer. Oh! God help me! A few minutes on, my colleagues drove off in the bus. It was then that reality hit me, and I realized I was in this alone.

I began moving away from denial and started accepting reality. So I moved to greet my host mother (Mama Jane) and entered the room I was to spent the rest of my days as a Volunteer in. There, I unpacked my stuff and quickly picked out my phone to find consolation in surfing the internet but a hard truth I had to live by was that the entire community did not have good access to network (for either calls or surfing the internet) unless under or around particular trees (about 2) before good network could be accessed. Evening soon came and before I could run into my new-found home, I begun feeling a sense of belonging as a result of the entourage of community members that came to welcome me - speaking a mixture of English and “Ewe” (a local language spoken by the people of the Volta region of Ghana) with smiles telling me their emotional state due to my arrival. The next morning, two things happened which actually calmed me.

First, I was visited by a senior citizen (an aged man who bears my name but is affectionately called “Thunder Blow”) of my community at around 6:56am – 7:05am. He shared with me his perspectives on life, his life as a volunteer (he cautioned me that I was not going to find it easy but joy will come at the end) and ended by introducing me to his family. I felt overwhelmed by their reception especially since they did not even know anything about me.

Secondly, I returned home to meet my host family who treated me as if I had been a part of the family from infancy. I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely set of young twins who taught me a couple of lines in their local language and made me laugh a lot. This encounter helped me prepare for the CorpsAfrica journey of #LocalsHelpinglocals.

Me and "Thunder Blow", the first guest to visit me and welcome me to the community.

Reuniting with other volunteers.

Beauty of CorpsAfrica

2/15/2023

Written by CorpsAfrica/Malawi Volunteer Mr. Wonderful Mudolo

“Instead of putting others in their place, put yourself in their place.” – Anonymous

The day of departure to my site had arrived. All sorts of iterations of what my site would be like ran through my mind. I was very excited and anxious simultaneously, wondering where I would spend the next 365 days of my life. I kept on asking myself, “Is it really necessary for me to live in the community I will serve?” As much as I understand the significance of community engagement for sustainable community development, I truly never recognized the importance of living in my community during my service. It has been two months now since I moved into my community, and I would love to share with you some of the amazing benefits of the CorpsAfrica model.
During my integration period, I have mostly been facilitating community meetings to identify the challenges faced and find possible solutions to the problems. The water drainage area is quite large, and I sometimes cycle for over 18 kilometers to and from the meeting places. As I travel, I get to experience the long distances that children walk to access education, as long as the distance other community members travel to access water and health care services among other essential needs. In meetings, I have a chance to better understand the challenges that the community is facing, as I have ample time to tackle with the community how such problems can be addressed locally.

Living and interacting with the community members has helped me to understand the people and this certainly impacts my ability to communicate with them effectively. It has also ensured that trust is established between myself and the community members as we chat and share our different experiences in life.

Residing at my site has definitely moved me out of my comfort zone. It is a new environment, full of new experiences and so much more to learn from. I have had the opportunity to work alongside a CorpsAfrica Alumnus on a World Connect classroom block construction project. Upon completion, the classroom block is expected to create a conducive learning and teaching environment for 120 learners at the school. This work experience is advancing my project management skills. I have found myself facilitating meetings with community leaders, managing construction procurement, executing budget analyses, writing weekly reports, and blogs, and many more. Some of which, if one required my input 3 months ago, I would honestly be skeptical about.

Albert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived for others is worth living.” As I continue serving at my site, I feel there is a lot more that I can give to my community whilst learning and sharing my experiences for sustainable community development, concurrently, advancing my career prospects and growing personally. And that is the beauty of CorpsAfrica.

Facilitating a meeting with community leaders.

Digging foundation trenches of the classroom block.

Watering a school garden at Matti Community-Based Childcare Center.

Do You Know Amadaou Bamba Diaw?

2/15/2023

Written by CorpsAfrica/Ghana Volunteer Mr. Amadaou Bamba Diaw

Better known as Bamba, I am a young graduate in Economic Engineering at the University of Dakar-Bourquiba, who specialized in Accounting, Business Management and Administration at the University Institute of Technology and Commerce (ITECOM). After my studies, I was to integrate Chemical Industries of Senegal (ICS) under a contract as an accountant, stock manager and then a representative of the interim company BSI within this same industry. Due to these experiences, I became passionate about development and improving the living conditions of rural communities.

I joined CorpsAfrica/Senegal in the volunteer program while working as a program coordinator of the Organization “Tivaouane Green Town” (TVV), which works to improve environmental conditions. With a complete and beneficial training at CorpsAfrica in Design Thinking and Human Centered-design, accompanied by several complementary modules, I am committed to the mission of improving the living conditions of the Village of "SINE NGAYE" where I assisted various groups of women in this community by empowering them in several areas such as the manufacturing of different types of soaps and bleaches as well as the establishment of micro projects such as a community shop and the innovation of modern-improved stoves. These activities strongly contribute to the protection of the environment and fall under the “CorpsAfrica Green “ initiative, which aims to improve the environment and fight against climate change. I also completed a project which involved ensuring that a market garden area of 2 hectares had access to water in order to improve the working conditions of the women and also supply a large part of this community with drinking water.

This was a project inspired by the initiative, “CorpsAfrica Blue” which facilitates access to drinking water. This project was greatly appreciated by the community and the surrounding villages that benefited from it. Being a multitasker and an ambassador for the environment, I have participated in several events of this kind, both nationally and internationally. I was even recommended for the run-up to COP27 in Egypt during my participation in the Ecolotrip Forum in Togo and in many other participations. In the cultural aspect, I have also played a role of co-coordinator for the preparation of the CorpsAfrica International Cultural Work Camp and have worked a lot on the revaluation of the megalithic sites of Sine Ngayene, Wanar, Wassu and Keur Bathie, which are a part of the world heritage of UNESCO. I took initiatives to sensitize and educate young people on the importance of this heritage through several cultural activities around these sites.

Considered as an innovative project, the Modern Improved Cookstoves were nominated and featured in AYICC's SMART GREEN BOOK 2022, a green book of young African innovators' projects for the fight against climate change and a featured presentation during COP27 in Egypt. Always having this thirst to serve, I have re-engaged with CorpsAfrica in Ghana as an Exchange Volunteer to further serve African communities and push them towards a momentum of development by redefining development while being a typical Ambassador of CorpsAfrica for its love and loyalty to African communities. As I have always said “my mission is not to develop communities but to build new people to build societies”. Such are my words.

Take It One Step At A Time

2/15/2023

Written by CorpsAfrica/Malawi Volunteer Ms. Joana Msukwa

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”- Theodore Roosevelt

I must say the idea of moving to the outskirts of the city was not as easy to digest but after going through six weeks of PST, I convinced myself that living in a totally different place far from home was not going to be so bad after all but rather a wholesome life adventure worth a shot.

After arriving at my site in Ntcheu district, I had quite zero expectations from the community after having been told to lower our expectations throughout service but what fascinated me was the warm welcome I got from some community members. I was intrigued as to how someone would welcome a total stranger they have never met before. This alone does prove the famous quote about Malawi being the warm heart of Africa. Having been dropped off, I was then told by my program coordinator that there was a bridge project at a nearby village pending implementation. I then thought to myself how is a girl like me with little knowledge in construction going to handle a whole bridge construction project? However, after some thought process, I told myself to just do it as Nike quotes it.

During the first encounter with the village where the bridge was to be constructed, I was quite touched to see the commitment the community members have had throughout the years in trying to ease movements to the village. The community has used most of its community assets like quarry stones to put underneath the water across the river but this didn’t really help. Vehicles hardly reach the community. They have to be packed and people cross the river on foot. With the CorpsAfrica Volunteer coming into the picture, the community is more than overwhelmed seeing their story about to change. I am quite excited to be a part of this social change and help make a significant impact throughout my integration process. With a step at a time, we are closer to finishing the project and a great story is about to be told.

"Am I the Faint-Hearted?" There is Only One Way to Find Out.

2/15/2023

Written by CorpsAfrica Malawi Volunteer Ms. Natasha Lughano Chagunda

As I packed my bags for site in Ligowe, Neno district, I had all of these preconceived thoughts and feelings about where I was going. Most of these thoughts were driven with emotions I had no control over such as fear and anxiety. Normal for anyone stepping out of their well-defined comfort zone to go and live and work amongst unfamiliar community. A couple of these feelings with the famous notion that says “CorpsAfrica is not for the faint-hearted”, I headed for my site only with the knowledge of why I was going: To be a catalyst of change and to facilitate small scale but high impact community led development. I was determined.

Did I have all of the necessary tools to aid me in this role during my service? Yes. Did I know exactly where I was going? No. Would I be able to adapt to a new place I would call home for the next 12 months? These were some of the unanswered questions going through my mind. I remember asking myself, “Am I the faint-hearted”? There was only one way to find out.
The first month was very hectic as I was becoming familiar with my community through one-on-one chats with individuals, community welcoming meetings and through participation in various community events such as funerals, weddings, developmental meetings to help me integrate and synthesize well in order to build psychological safety. Overtime, my stay has become much steadier. It is nothing like the sob story I thought it would be prior to experiencing my community life.

After 12 weeks at my site, I can confidently say that I have become very accustomed to my community. I really love the place in regard to its weather, topography and various institutional structures. The people and more especially the culture. Looking back, it is clear that most of the feelings I had prior to my deployment gave me a biased perception of what my stay in the community would be like even before actually experiencing it. It is very paramount to always leave room for how new experiences will pan out. Let go of trying to control the things we cannot control. Nonetheless I can say that the time spent in my community has been remarkable this far.
I have been privileged enough to work with and through a local community development organization that is well established in the community. They have provided me with a platform to easily reach out to various community social organizations such as CBO’s, Community Day Secondary School, the Local Health Facility where I now volunteer, as well as small groups within the community that I can hold group thinks with in order to learn about some of the problems that are present and prevalent in my community.

Life as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer has taught me one thing for sure; the fastest way to get anything done is to not go over or around but to always go through. I had doubts and fears about my stay, but it has already been 12 weeks and just like a child learning to ride a bike, I can finally say that I have set off for my adventure.

Attending to post-natal clients at the community health center.

A photo with the local community development organization.

A student presenting during a menstrual hygiene training for secondary school students.

With the girls that participated in the menstrual hygiene training for secondary school students.

How I Became A Northerner

2/7/2023

Written by CorpsAfrica/Malawi Volunteer Mr. Frazer Kum'bweza Banda

It all started in Mulanje at Likhubula C.C.A.P house, just hours before completing the Pre-Service Training (PST). It was an overwhelming moment when I saw my face projected on a wall accompanied by “Karonga” as my site. Believe me, I was in disbelief. Never did I imagine CorpsAfrica could allocate me to the northern region of Malawi. I was actually telling my fellow trainees that I could be allocated in any northern district and it happened. Thoughts hit me following the allocation, I felt alone because this meant that the friendship bonds that I made with fellow trainees during the PST were challenged. It was me alone going into a new community where the culture, food, and language are different from back home. Mind you, I had never been in the northern part of Malawi before, this was actually the first time I was going to see far north (Karonga) (and eventually become a far northerner). I was deployed in Karonga on the 28th of September. I was warmly welcomed by my host family, and this was the beginning of my journey as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer serving in Karonga.

Being in a community where most of the things (language, culture, food etc.) are different from what you know or have back home is very challenging. I have had high time interacting with Tumbuka speakers because I had no prior knowledge of the Tumbuka language. This pushed me to learn fast some language basics like greetings so that I could not feel entirely out of place when with the community members. In days, I was able to speak some broken Tumbuka with the help of my host brother who knows some Chichewa and was teaching me most of the things. I started blending in, making some friends (Barber man being the first friend I made because I was mostly at the barbershop charging my gadgets), eating their food, and learning some of the things that define them.

I grew interested in knowing more and being known to many. I wanted the community, not just the friends I made but every population, to know me and the reason why I am in their community living with them as one of them. As part of my integration, I started teaching at the community Primary School so that I can connect with the learners, the staff, and all the associations, clubs, and organizations existing within the school. This exposed me to a lot of community members as well as the leaders and other figures, I became friends with them personally and professionally. I also interact with preschool kids at the Community Based Child Care (CBCC) whenever I am free from other duties. In addition, I also attend women financial clubs to share with them some ideas on how they can improve their income generating activities. Being welcomed and interacting with different groups of people in my site to this far, I now have a sense of belonging and I can proudly say CorpsAfrica made me a northerner.

Expectations vs. Reality

2/7/2023

Written by a CorpsAfrica/Malawi Volunteer Ms. Stella Kumphika

“Do not count your eggs before they hatch.”

As CorpsAfrica trainees, we were taught to manage our expectations by lowering them down. But how do you do that when there are more stories supporting your higher expectations?
I was anxious and eager to hear where I will spend the next ten months of my life. “Away from home obviously I thought to myself” to my amazement, I was assigned to go to Dedza. I was so excited because Dedza is my home District, and I knew I would be spending 10 months with my relatives.

“It's a trading center, the area has more potential to develop, and there are many things you could do in the community. Your host mother has reserved two houses for you, she went on, one with electricity and the other one has no electricity.” More reasons to be proud of my site.
The office organized a car to pick me up from home. With Joy I bid farewell to my people, and we left. The trip started off well, a few kilometers after Tsangano, we had a flat tire, but nobody was hurt. We spent about thirty minutes waiting for the cruiser to be fixed. The car was fixed, and we went on with the trip, in no time, we arrived at the first site to drop off a fellow Volunteer. Looking at the environment and everything, reality began to sink in. I felt like crying as if I was the one being dropped.

The road to Kasumbu was dusty; I could actually feel that the air I was breathing in was full of dust. In half an hour, we were at my site, we met my host mother at her place, she hopped in the cruiser to give us directions to the house she kept. I knew it was a bigger and comfortable house because the previous occupant was a married secondary school teacher, as she explained over the phone call.

“The house we reserved for her has been given to another person, I found a small house where she will be staying while searching for another house”. Explaining to my host mother, I was so heartbroken, “Maybe I didn’t hear her well” I comforted myself. When we arrived at the reserved house, I did not like the compound. I entered the small house; I couldn’t hold it and I started crying. I told my host mother and one of the staff members that I am not staying there. She agreed with the host mother that I should spend two weeks at her place.

The family did not have enough space for me, so I was asked to stay in one of her unfinished bedrooms. My few belongings couldn’t fit in the house. I was very sad. After a few days we found a single bedroom house with electricity and water. Immediately, I moved out of my host mothers house, and I settled comfortably in my new home.

Integration Life In My Community

2/5/2023

Written by a CorpsAfrica/Malawi Volunteer Ms. Prisca Kadawati

Every new place is very difficult to live in at first, and being in a rural community makes it even harder. Meeting people you have never seen before and somehow you have to make yourself known to them, whether they like it or not, because that is what my kind of job as a volunteer and as a Community Development facilitator is all about. Before going to my community, I had this nervous energy that could not go away no matter how many times I told myself to be confident and strong and that I have spent 6 weeks training to be a capable Volunteer at my site, and that is what will happen. I kept on thinking “what if people in the community are not welcoming to me?” and “what if I do not make friends? And a lot more questions wandered in my head and I was afraid of the journey ahead.

Getting myself known by people has always been challenging for me to be honest, I would not say that I am not a people person and it is very difficult welcoming people in my zone. I stayed with my host family for a few days and got to know them better. The good thing was that they were really welcoming and very open to my staying there. Even now, they are one of my closest people in the community. And as one way of integrating easily into my community, I first visited each leader in the community to introduce myself before having introductory meetings with the whole community. I also worked with the bakery group by attending some activities such as building an oven and training the bakery group on how to bake different products.

I also started teaching at a Primary school in my community. This is really helping me boost my confidence. and it has helped me to form a relationship with the girls from school. Together with another female teacher, we have formed a girl’s guide club, where we will be empowering the girls and encouraging them to work hard in school and also training them on menstrual health and hygiene.

I have engaged with the care groups in my community, and I have facilitated the making of sack gardens, in which they have planted vegetables as a way of improving food security and nutrition in their households. I had no idea how to make Mbeya fertilizer, but now I can do it by myself because I learned from the community members. I can safely say that I am integrating well in my community and I no longer feel nervous whenever there is a community meeting or teaching in class as it is now a psychological safety environment.

Preparing to make the sack gardens with the care group.

Break-time with the learners.

Introductory girl's guide club meeting.

Making Mbeya fertilizer.

Making fuel-efficient cooking stoves.