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 […]
Hands That Build, Hearts That Grow
When I began my journey as a CorpsAfrica/Rwanda Volunteer, I knew I was stepping into something meaningful, but I never imagined how deeply it would shape both the communities I serve and the person I am becoming. Service, I have learned, is not only about the structures we build; it is about the invisible bridges […]
From Fear to Family: Building Bonds through CorpsAfrica/Kenya
Since time immemorial, I’ve known I wanted to work with marginalized populations. Growing up in one, I understood early on that this wasn’t just a career choice it was my purpose. So, when the opportunity to join CorpsAfrica/Kenya came knocking, I didn’t hesitate. It wasn’t a tough decision; it was simply the next step in […]
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 […]
In My Gallery
As I scrolled through my phone gallery one evening, something struck me deeply. Picture after picture, I didn’t just see images; I saw stories, smiles, sweat, and transformation. My gallery is no longer filled with selfies or scenery. It has become a living archive of my service and my community’s journey. There are kitchen gardens […]
Doing It Again: From Malawi to Kenya
As I joined CorpsAfrica Kenya as an exchange volunteer, I often wondered what it would feel like to go through the entire volunteering process again, including Pre-Service Training. Would it feel repetitive going through the same lessons? Would I simply be reliving my first experience in Malawi? The questions lingered, mixed with a quiet fear […]
Building More Than Bricks
When I first received my deployment notice from CorpsAfrica/Rwanda to serve as a Volunteer in the Save Sector of Gisagara District, I was filled with fear and uncertainty. I remember the tears in my eyes as I packed my bags, wondering how I would adapt to a completely new community, far from everything familiar. Questions […]