The first time I followed my host mother to fetch water, I thought I was simply helping with a chore. The sun was already high, and the path stretched further than I had expected. We walked in a quiet rhythm, occasionally exchanging a few words, but mostly just moving. When we reached the water source, I found a group of women gathered, laughing, talking, sharing stories. That was the day I began to understand something important: in this community, these are not just chores. They are the rhythm by which life moves.
My journey as a volunteer has been shaped not just by the work I do, but by the family that welcomed me in. From the very beginning, my host family became my doorway into the community. They didn’t just show me where things were, they showed me how life is lived. Through them, I learned the daily routines that sustain households such as grazing goats, feeding chickens, and working on the farm. At first, these activities felt unfamiliar, but over time they became part of my own rhythm too. I began to see the effort, patience, and care behind each task, and to appreciate how deeply these routines are woven into the fabric of community life.
Some of my most meaningful lessons came in quieter moments at home. Sitting beside my host grandmother, I learned how to weave baskets and mats, carefully intertwining each strand, correcting mistakes, and starting again when needed. It required patience and attention, but also trust. In those moments, we were not just passing time; we were sharing knowledge, culture, and connection.
It was also through my host family that my world in the community expanded. I remember accompanying my host mother to her Village Savings and Loans (VSL) group. At first, I simply observed, watching how the women contributed, discussed, and supported one another. The first introduction led to training in financial literacy that helped them to be more intentional in their savings. That introduction opened doors for me to meet more groups in the community, and those groups have been central to my service.
Then there is my host brother, who became a bridge to the youth in the community. Spending time with him and attending his sporting events and youth group meetings helped me to connect with other young people who were his teammates and friends. Through those interactions, I found space to engage, to learn, and to contribute in ways that felt natural. Through mentorship sessions and training on income-generating activities such as soap making, I was able to share knowledge while also learning from them.
Looking back, I see that my contributions to families in the community have been shaped by the relationship I first built with my host family. Whether working with groups, engaging with youth, or simply showing up consistently, everything I have done has been grounded in trust that started at home. In my host family, I found more than a place to stay. I found teachers, guides, and a sense of home. And through them, I learned that true service is not just about working in a community, it is about becoming part of it.
