From Strangers to Family
“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life,” (Richard Bach). When I first landed in Balaka, my CorpsAfrica site, living with strangers in a different district felt impossible. Tears welled up as the car drove away, leaving me with unfamiliar faces, surrounded […]
LESSONS OF LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY
Perseverance, patience, and resilience have surely been learned and exercised. An entire three months have gone by since I became a northerner. Fully immersed in the culture, traditions, and language of this new site, I can gladly say I am a lambya and chindali speaker. In the past three months, I kept an open mind […]
The Point: CorpsAfrica launches Gambia Chapter
Written by Pa Modou Cham “CorpsAfrica, an international non-governmental organisation established in 2011, yesterday launched its Gambia chapter and swore in 11 volunteers who would serve in all regions of the country for one year. In the Gambia, CorpsAfrica will focus on climate change and resilience, emphasising its green initiatives. The volunteers will identify the […]
A Parallel Journey: Pedaling Through Personal and Collective Growth
As I navigate the ups and downs of mastering bicycle riding, I ponder whether introducing concepts like Community-Led Development, Human-Centered Design (HCD), and Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) might pose similar challenges for the community. Just as I persistently strive to improve my cycling skills, I wonder if community members face comparable difficulties in embracing and […]
Embracing the Unknown: My Journey as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Mchinji, Malawi
In the heart of Mchinji, Malawi, where the regularity of life is guided by tradition, I embarked on a transformative journey as the first CorpsAfrica Volunteer in this rural community. Leaving the comforts of home behind, I faced the overwhelming challenge of not only adapting to a new site but also laying the groundwork for […]
Unspoken Challenge During Project Identification
During my IST-1 training, while conducting presentations on community project ideas, I realized that an often-unspoken challenge for some community developers in the project identification phase is distinguishing projects that genuinely serve the greater good of the community from those influenced by individual desires. The first step to solving the challenge is acknowledging that individuals, […]
Learning Exchange: A Community-Volunteer Tale
Living among my community members has been a transformative journey, not just for them, but also for me as a Volunteer. In my role facilitating community-led development, asset-based community building, and human-centered design initiatives, I have immersed myself in various activities alongside community members. This engagement has not only allowed me to contribute to the […]
Getting Out of the Comfort Zone
On the day I was deployed to my site, I felt stressed and anxious about being away from my family and friends for some time. However, I was also excited about the opportunity to learn and experience new cultures and to support the process of community change as a facilitator. When I arrived, my host […]
Embracing Change
Have you ever heard someone say that change can be terrifying? It’s because, for most people, change means stepping out of their comfort zone and facing new situations or experiences. People are often afraid not of the change itself, but of the uncertainty that comes with embarking on something new, which many people associate with […]
My First Impression of Volunteerism
Written by CorpsAfrica/Malawi Volunteer Mr. Osman Leedhakar Moyo Having fully armed with expertise in community-led development approaches, I ventured down the famous Khwekwerere road of Dedza District which is located in the central region of Malawi, descending to Huwa Village with eagerness and thirst to quench as a Community-led Development facilitator. This was a roller […]