Sometimes in life, we stand between the familiar and the unknown and the choice we make in that moment can change everything. Leaving home is never easy. Leaving behind the place where you were born, where every face feels familiar, and where every sound carries a memory, takes courage the kind we rarely talk about.

When I left Rwanda, I carried with me a heart full of memories: the rolling green hills, the warm smiles, the language, and the deep sense of belonging. Rwanda is a land of unity, one culture, one language, one shared heartbeat. Yet, life had written a new chapter for me, and it began in Malawi, the warm heart of Africa. At first, everything felt unfamiliar. I remember standing among people speaking languages I didn’t understand. In Rwanda, everyone speaks Kinyarwanda, but in Malawi, each district has its own culture and language. I often sat quietly, listening carefully, trying to understand. There were moments when I asked myself, “Did I make the right choice?”

Slowly, life began to teach me. I started learning Chichewa, one of Malawi’s main languages. My tongue stumbled over the words at first, but people laughed kindly and helped me practice. Every word I learned brought me closer to the community. That’s when I realized that language is more than communication, it’s a bridge that connects hearts.

Then came nsima, Malawi’s staple food. At first, I wondered how people could eat it every day. But soon, I understood  it’s more than food; it represents family, love, and togetherness. And when I first wrapped a colorful chitenge around my waist, I looked in the mirror and smiled. At that moment, I no longer felt like a visitor. I felt at home. Living in a new culture has taught me patience, humility, and acceptance. It reminded me that growth often hides behind discomfort. As one quote I love says, “Change is never easy, but it is always worth it.”

Nelson Mandela once said, “If you talk to a man in his language, that goes to his heart.” Learning Chichewa didn’t just open my mouth  it opened my heart. This journey has transformed me. I’ve learned that every culture has its own beauty and rhythm, and by embracing it, we discover new versions of ourselves.

 “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

I’m grateful I turned my page  from Rwanda to Malawi and found a story of courage, love, and growth.