To be honest, many people—maybe even I—thought I would be the first Volunteer to quit.

But here I am, standing at the finish line.
And I am so grateful that I didn’t give up.

This journey wasn’t easy. I left behind the comfort of home to live in a completely new environment—with a different pace, different expectations, and a different way of life. Adjusting wasn’t always easy, but through that process, I discovered strength I never knew I had. I built resilience. I grew.

I also met incredible people—my fellow Volunteers. We didn’t just share projects; we shared doubts, laughter, difficult moments, and late-night pep talks. And we helped each other through it all. That spirit of solidarity and teamwork carried me more times than I can count.

And then there were the CorpsAfrica trainings—they weren’t just sessions; they were eye-openers. They gave us practical tools and new ways of thinking. Tools like the Almighty Innovator’s Compass became my go-to whenever I was unsure of what to do. And our incredible staff? They never stopped showing up for us—always guiding, always reminding us that we were capable of more.

In my community, I had the privilege of doing real work that meant something.

• I worked with children whose laughter lit up my days.

• I joined community members on their farms, learning about sustainable agriculture through hands-on experience.

• I visited the kenkey house, witnessing how food traditions could become a source of livelihood.

• I led a soap-making training for women, born out of their desire to build something better for themselves. The energy in that room—the way they lifted each other up—was unforgettable.

• I trained a 14-year-old girl in beading keychains. She was the only one who showed up, but she came with such commitment and drive that I looked forward to every session.

I also worked on a corn mill project—one that tested my limits. At one point, I gave up. I was sure it wouldn’t happen. But my community didn’t give up. They pushed, they believed—and in the end, they made it real. Today, I’m proud to know my name will always be attached to that success.

During my CorpsAfrica service, I developed and strengthened several professional competencies that I will carry with me for life.

• I built adaptability—learning to stay grounded and persevere through unfamiliar environments, shifting project realities, and moments of doubt.

• I grew in humility and teamwork, working side by side with community members and fellow Volunteers, always listening and collaborating with respect and openness.

• I gained hands-on experience in project design and management, leading initiatives like soap-making workshops, youth beading sessions, and the successful corn mill project—all rooted in community needs and driven by tools like the Innovator’s Compass.

These skills didn’t just shape my service—they shaped me.

But if I had to choose just one moment to define my service, it would be this:

One day, I saw my neighbor’s six-year-old daughter sitting alone at home while other children were at school. She was staring at a book through a window—curious, silent, longing to learn.

That image broke my heart.

I turned to the Innovator’s Compass and asked: What matters most? What can I do?
And when her mother asked for help, I acted. Within minutes, we gathered supplies, and just like that, I was teaching my very first home-school session—with a little girl who was ready to learn even before the opportunity came.

And somewhere between all of that, I was in someone’s kitchen, preparing food for a funeral with local women. We fried fish, laughed, and moved in rhythm. In that moment, I realized I wasn’t just a visitor.
I was part of them.

At the beginning of this journey, I couldn’t wait to go home.
Now, at the end… I almost wish I could start again.

This experience with CorpsAfrica has changed me.
It has stretched me, challenged me, and grounded me.
And it has given me something I will never find anywhere else.

I am deeply grateful—for the journey, for the people, for the lessons, and for the chance to be part of something so meaningful.