Embracing New Beginnings in the Heart of the Community (Part 1)
Nothing satisfying like serving the nation through volunteerism. September 26, 2024, was a day that stood out from all others during my time with CorpsAfrica. It was the Thursday following the Swearing-In Ceremony for the new cohort of CorpsAfrica/Rwanda Volunteers Cohort 6. Like everyone else, I was filled with excitement and anticipation to meet my […]
When Everyone Knows You and You Know No One
One thing about moving into a new place or community is that everyone easily notices you and seems to know who you are since you are the new face in the neighborhood. The community also expects you to recognize them or at least be familiar with them. What they do not know is that you […]
Embracing Integration: My CorpsAfrica Journey
As I stepped into my new community for deployment as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer, a wave of mixed emotions washed over me. I felt both excitement for the adventure ahead and a tinge of sadness and loneliness. My journey as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer has been deeply rewarding and enlightening, though it began with moments of solitude […]
Unleashing Creativity Through Baking
One ordinary evening, I received a call from an unfamiliar number. Curious, I answered. The first words I heard were, “Unajua kuunda keki?” (Do you know how to bake a cake?). I instinctively replied, “Yes,” though uncertainty immediately crept in. I asked who was calling, and she responded, “Ni rafiki” (It’s your friend). It dawned […]
Green Fields, Stronger Futures: Volunteering with the Community
As the morning chill lingers, I’m out on the community farm, surrounded by the peaceful hills of Charuru and Nyambene. Today, like many mornings before, I’m harvesting fresh green vegetables alongside the community. There’s something deeply fulfilling about being connected to the earth, feeling the soil in my hands, and knowing that the crops we […]
Transformation is a continous journey
Transformation is a continous journey. “Why am I doing this again?” This is a question I asked myself a lot towards the end of my service in Uganda while preparing to go for the exchange program in Rwanda. In just a year my community and I had set up 92 kitchen gardens. We constructed 35 […]
So Far, So Good: My Service Experience in Nakuru
Serving in Nakuru as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer has been quite incredible. From the very start, the generosity of the people here has left a lasting impression on me. In Nakuru, hospitality is a way of life. You can visit a household at any time of day, and before you know it, you’re being served a […]
A Heart for Service
My journey with CorpsAfrica/Rwanda began in May when a friend shared the application link for Cohort 6, I explored the qualifications and researched for more information, and after navigating the application process, I received an email on June 29th inviting me to an interview. On the interview day, I felt nervous but was captivated by […]
My Experience with Gari Processing: A November to Remember
As a CorpsAfrica Volunteer in a rural community in the Central Region of Ghana, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing and participating in the daily lives of the incredible people who call this place home. One of the most enriching experiences has been joining local women in their gari processing activities—a staple food in many […]
Community Asset Mapping: Putting the Work into the Hands of the Community
Recently, I had asset mapping with my community of service in the Murinda sub-location, Tharaka Nithi County. What stood out at the end of the exercise was how rich our rural communities are, with various assets that the community could utilize to address their needs. After the mapping, the community shared that they have even […]