As a CorpsAfrica Volunteer, one thing that remains consistent throughout the service is the presence of challenges often with no obvious solutions. At times, it may seem like some problems have no answers. But the truth is, solutions do exist, we just have to dig deeper and look at things differently.

From the moment my community selected a primary project to work on, there was a wave of enthusiasm and hope. They demonstrated commitment by choosing a passionate and active project committee to lead the initiative. After several meetings, brainstorming sessions, and community consultations, we were confident in our planning. Each committee member was assigned tasks to mobilize human, economic, institutional, and physical resources. We even consulted experts to ensure a smooth and effective implementation. However, as time passed, hunger began to spread its wings in the community. Households began expressing concerns about food insecurity. With limited income-generating opportunities, even basic needs became hard to meet. These economic hardships made it difficult for community members to fulfill their pledges toward the project’s contribution funds they had once called a beacon of hope for tackling youth unemployment. To make matters worse, the nation was experiencing hyperinflation. Prices skyrocketed, and the cost of materials required for our project implementation rose drastically, stretching our budget thin. During my attendance at In-Service Training 2, I was informed that some community members who had initially committed to contribute were stepping down, from having fifty beneficiaries for the project to twenty five beneficiaries. But in the midst of this setback, new members joined the team among them, a young man named Chifoye.

Chifoye quickly became the cornerstone of our project team. He brought passion, dedication, and a deep sense of responsibility. A man of action, Chifoye was always the first to move plans into practice. With his skills in bricklaying, he offered to renovate the poultry house at a fraction of the market cost, easing a significant burden on our budget. Even more impressive was how Chifoye applied the ABCD (Asset-Based Community Development) approach to identify locally available resources that could be used to minimize expenditure. He conducted thorough research and encouraged us to use what we already had before spending money. His negotiation skills were instrumental in cushioning the effects of inflation. Through his efforts, we secured materials at reduced costs and stayed on track despite economic turbulence. He constantly challenged the team to think outside the box, remain focused, and work tirelessly toward achieving our shared goals.

In a nutshell, Chifoye’s story is a reminder that in the face of adversity, leaders emerge. And sometimes, all it takes is one person’s dedication to reignite the spirit of an entire community.