When Good Intentions Miss the Mark
Over the past weeks, I have found myself reflecting deeply on my work in the community where I serve. What started as a simple effort to strengthen engagement has turned into a valuable lesson—one that reminded me of a statement we repeated countless times during Pre-Service Training: “Communities are dynamic.” I understood it then, but […]
Stepping into the Unknown
For as long as I can remember, I carried a quiet passion for helping others. Volunteering felt like a dream tucked away in the corners of my heart, something I admired from afar but never imagined I would actually do. That changed the day CorpsAfrica opened a door I never thought I could walk through. […]
From stranger to sojourn partner: My first months of learning, growing, and belonging in Emanyaleni
My name is Greciano Hezekiah, a CorpsAfrica/Malawi Volunteer serving in Emanyaleni community in Mzimba District, Malawi. When I arrived in Emanyaleni Community after completing six weeks of Pre-Service Training in September 2025,I carried two big realities with me: deep excitement and real uncertainty. Emanyaleni is a Tumbuka-speaking community, while my mother tongue is Chichewa. From […]
From Dream To Reality: My meaningful journey as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer
The first day I arrived in the community( SouthWest Ethiopia, Shishinde (Keffa) District, Wana Bolla Kebele) as a CorpsAfrica/Ethiopia Volunteer, I was filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. To my delight, my host father was waiting for my arrival. I had already spoken to my host father before boarding the bus, and the […]
My Lifetime Lessons with CorpsAfrica
In February 2023, I made a decision that would change the course of my life. Motivated by a strong desire to give back to my community especially after witnessing how organizations like FAWE Rwanda empowered disadvantaged youth I applied to become a CorpsAfrica volunteer. What I didn’t know then was that this choice would transform […]
Belbur, Bicycles, and Briquettes: Walking the CorpsAfrica Path
On a warm August afternoon, the gates of St. Mary’s Pastoral Centre opened to welcome 65 of us, strangers at first but all carrying a shared curiosity about the journey ahead. The air was alive with anticipation. We weren’t just stepping into a training program; we were stepping into a community of passionate young Africans […]
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 […]