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 […]
Once a Volunteer Always a Volunteer
Who signs up twice? Only someone crazy… or completely in love with service. Guilty as charged! Those that say that lightning never strikes twice, they haven’t met a CorpsAfrica Volunteer yet! Here I am, serving for the second time in my own country, and I can confidently say, it’s a feeling like no other. The […]
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 […]
A Needle, a Thread, and an Unexpected Purpose
Can I Tell You a Story? Growing up, I was that young girl who adored fashion; always curious, always sketching, always wanting to learn more. I didn’t know it then, but every stitch I practiced and every mistake I corrected was quietly preparing me for something bigger than myself. Fast forward to just last year: […]
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 […]