Growing Dreams, Empowering Futures
During my time as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Ethiopia, I watched rural youth transform before my eyes. Their energy, ideas, and determination had the power to shift entire communities. With each hands-on project, I saw confidence bloom, skills sharpen, and small actions ripple into meaningful change. Those experiences left a mark that continues to shape […]
The Sweet Life in the Hot Heart of Chinzimbe
There’s a saying that “home is where the heart is.” For me, I found a new kind of home ,one that’s as hot as the African sun, yet as sweet as the sugarcane fields that surround it. Welcome to Chinzimbe, a community nestled near the Illovo Sugar Company, where life thrives in the heat, and […]
Embracing the Unknown: How Cultural Exchange Shaped My Leadership Journey
Sometimes in life, we stand between the familiar and the unknown and the choice we make in that moment can change everything. Leaving home is never easy. Leaving behind the place where you were born, where every face feels familiar, and where every sound carries a memory, takes courage the kind we rarely talk about. […]
Story of My Integration in Hidakaliti, Sidama
My name is Girmawit Desalegn, and I am a proud Volunteer of CorpsAfrica Ethiopia. After completing six weeks of Pre-Service Training (PST), I was assigned to my site in the Sidama Region, specifically to Hidakaliti Kebele. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life—a journey filled with discovery, connection, and growth. From […]
Volunteering at the Heart of Redefinition
Ever since I saw the banner by the road side in caps written “WELCOME TO BARINGO” I have been cornered by a repetitive thought of what actually is the chemistry behind volunteering. Volunteering is more than giving time- it’s about connecting with people, sharing what I can, and learning even more in return. These beautiful […]
Hearts That Connect, Hands That Teach
My name is Marguerite Umutesi, a CorpsAfrica Volunteer serving in Musanze District, Kinigi Sector, Nyonirima Cell, Kanyampereri Village. My journey as a volunteer has been filled with meaningful encounters and learning experiences that continue to shape how I view community development. This week, two moments stood out for me: one showed the power of human […]
A Language Bridge: My Journey to Winning Over My Host Mother
As I stepped into my host family’s home in the remote village of Naha, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. Born and raised in Kumasi, the cultural hub of Ghana’s Ashanti Region, I had never ventured far from home. My first time leaving Kumasi was when I headed to the Upper West […]
The Power of a Smile
During my service with CorpsAfrica in Rwanda, I’ve come to learn that impact often hides in the simplest exchanges, like a smile. Not all smiles come easily. Some bloom instantly, bright, open, and ready to meet you halfway. Others take time, unfolding slowly like morning light, revealing stories hidden beneath the surface. A smile can […]
From Ghana to Kenya: A Journey of Service, Learning, and Adaptation
Having served in Ghana as a volunteer, my journey began with a six-week intensive pre-service training that prepared me to facilitate community development using Community-Led Development (CLD), Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), and Human-Centered Design (HCD). Those tools became more than concepts; they became my compass. During my community service in Ghana, they guided me through […]
From Fear To Belonging
“Questions for the gods to answer.”Funny enough, this was what came to mind after asking myself the following questions: “Do I have to convert to Islam before I can integrate with the people of Dehia?” “Should I take along a buta and hijab?” “Will the community be neat, or filled with scattered animal droppings?” “Is […]