I arrived at Pre-Service Training in Dedza together with four other Trainees from Lilongwe about a month ago. I was so excited about changing my life and I believed this opportunity to be a Volunteer came timely. I thought to myself that this was a chance for me to prove to myself how helpful I could be and was an opportunity to change the life of someone in a rural community.
Now Pre-Service Training is over. Volunteers had a great time together, spent a month learning everything like how life will be in their host communities. We made good relationships and we believed we were a great team.
I arrived at my site together with fellow Mzimba Volunteers - Hope and Khwima - with excitement, a good feeling, and nothing but love for my new community. We were warmly welcomed by the chiefs, the school teachers and our host families. It was an exciting moment and I felt to myself that I was indeed the young man this community has been waiting for.
Well, things changed dramatically for me when one of my landlord's sons showed up on my door one day and greeted me with a language I grew up with (Chichewa). He came to check if I needed anything. And yes, this was my opportunity. He was a guy who could help me learn the language and my way around here. I found a best friend that day, and although I had felt frustrated for a couple of days this day I felt so excited and hopeful.
Since meeting my landlord’s son I have felt at home and I love that I'm learning the language. It is making my work easier, and I'm so grateful for that because now I can understand and speak a little bit. The journey has just begun, walk with me!