Written by CorpsAfrica/Kenya Volunteer Ms. Gladys Yale Mutemi

Community service is a journey that originates from within, specifically from the Volunteer’s heart. It’s a realization that serving others necessitates serving oneself first. To genuinely spread love to others, one must cultivate qualities of fitness, peace, happiness, and self-care. This intricate connection between personal well-being and altruism became vivid in my volunteer experiences.

In dedicating myself to the service of others, I discovered a profound truth – the importance of loving oneself. It’s not a selfish act; rather, it’s a prerequisite for opening a warm and compassionate heart to those in need. Through these acts of service, I’ve unearthed a transformative cycle: the more I love and care for myself, the more passionately I can extend that love to others. It’s a reciprocal exchange that has reshaped my perspective on self-love and community contribution.

In volunteerism, the heart’s journey unfolds as a story of interconnectedness. As I learned to love myself, I opened doors to compassion, understanding, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the world around me. This self-discovery through service has become a powerful catalyst for fostering a warm heart and creating a ripple effect of kindness that extends far beyond individual actions.