The day I arrived in the community, the air was hot and thick, the hum of life simply lived. Crossing my hands, I was greeted by wide smiles and curious eyes. I had come as a CorpsAfrica volunteer – the first of my kind, eager to contribute and share knowledge. The road ahead was modest and unhurried,   I had no idea that this journey would teach me more about life and redefine my stand on professional development. 

At first, the adjustment was jarring. There was no running water, sporadic electricity, and other conveniences I had always taken for granted. But as my days turned into weeks, I saw the beauty in simplicity. I thrived on connecting with the community sharing news, stories, and laughter under the sun or stars. Their joy is untainted by the absence of gadgets or Netflix. Life here wasn’t about accumulation, it was about appreciation.

I realized how much I had overlooked my own life. I had spent so much time chasing more- more success, more possession, more validation- while everyone else found fulfillment in what they already had. CorpsAfrica sent me to a community that taught me that integrity isn’t about honesty, it is about living in alignment with what truly matters. I see now that professional growth is more meaningful than personal growth and that the simplest moments, like sharing a meal and dancing ingoma can be the most profound.

I discovered that life is deeply fulfilling not because of what we have but because of how we live. They taught me to appreciate the little things and to find joy in simplicity. This experience changed me and opened my eyes to always be grateful and understand that what mattered most was not what we owned but how we loved and experienced life.