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 my journey of working with communities.
But let’s be honest here I did have one fear. Just one. You see, some people don’t like going too far from home. Well… I’m one of those people. My fear? Getting deployed far, far from home.
With CorpsAfrica every volunteer is deployed to a community somewhere in Kenya to serve for several months after preservice training. In my head, that meant I could be moving from one corner of Kenya (Garissa) all the way to the other (Busia). Picture that Kenyan map in your head, now draw a line from Garissa to Busia…yup, that’s the distance I was imagining. My heart was already packing a bag and asking for extra snacks for the journey!
Now here’s where it gets funny. You actually get to “pick” the county you’ll be deployed to but not in the way you’re imagining. Oh no, CorpsAfrica decided to make it more interesting. They wrap the county names up like little mystery gifts. Cute, right? So, you step up, pick one at random, unwrap it, and boom, that’s your new home for the next chapter of your life. At that moment, you’re either shocked, excited, laughing nervously, or quietly questioning your life choices… You can guess my reaction.
Before I reveal what county I picked (patience, my friends!), let me tell you about the biggest lesson I’ve learned so far: relationship building. So part of the training involves something called Community-Based Training (CBT). For two weeks, you live in a rural community with a host family. At first, the critic in me was like, “Wait, must we really do this?” Living with strangers in a new environment felt… uncomfortable. But kumbe, this turned out to be the most important part of the whole training!
Suddenly, all the theories and ideas we’d been learning came alive. We weren’t just talking about integration and trust-building, we were actually doing it. From sharing meals with my host family to learning the daily rhythm of the community, I found myself building genuine, lasting relationships. It may not have been my home, but it quickly became my second home, an experience I’ll treasure forever.
Through training I’ve built connections not just with my host family, but also with my fellow volunteers and the ever-smiling CorpsAfrica staff (seriously, I’ve never met happier people in my life!). These relationships have given me courage and comfort. They’ve turned what was once a fear, being deployed far from home, into something I now welcome with open arms. Whether it’s Busia, or anywhere in between, I’m ready.
And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: my deployment reveal. Drumroll, please…Tharaka Nithi!
Never in my wildest dreams did I think my hand would pick Tharaka. But as we say, God’s plan is always the best plan. It’s not as far as Busia, sure, but it’s still a new adventure, and I couldn’t be happier. In just about two weeks, I’ll be headed there excited, grateful, and ready to serve. Tharaka people, here I come!
By the way guys, what’s your thought on living with host families, people you’re meeting for the very first time?