Not all smiles are real. Some are carefully worn masks, hiding fears, doubts, and silent battles that rage within us. I wore that smile too.
When I first heard that I would be deployed to a rural community in Zomba District, my heart was filled with mixed emotions. On the surface, I was happy and excited. This was an opportunity to gain practical experience in social work, a field I am passionate about. Creating positive change through community development has always been a dream of mine, especially after witnessing the gap in knowledge and opportunities between rural and urban communities. In many ways, this deployment felt like a dream come true.
But behind that smile, fear slowly crept in. I worried about how I would adapt to a completely new community, with no friends or relatives, far from everything familiar. I would also be away from my fellow CorpsAfrica Volunteers, who had become my support system. I had heard that rural communities were fond of handouts, which frightened me. I kept asking myself, “Will I really be able to create a meaningful impact here?” As an introvert, the fear of social interaction weighed heavily on me. Despite all this, I kept smiling, appearing calm while battling fear inside.
When I finally arrived in the community, reality hit hard. I was unsettled by the unfamiliar environment, and my small house added to the sadness. It felt like everything was going wrong at once. Yet still, I smiled at everyone I met and reminded myself to accept the situation and move forward.And so, I took the first step. I began visiting women’s groups, youth clubs, and households. At first, it felt forced, but something beautiful happened. Many youths naturally became my friends. They visited me just to chat, laugh, and share ideas, and the walls I had built began to crumble.
One of the most exciting discoveries I made was finding a youth club that was incredibly active, even having its own maize farm. This challenged the negative stories I had heard and revealed commitment, teamwork, and a desire for change.
Slowly, I developed a deep connection with the community. The youths are energetic and eager to contribute to development activities. Village heads and government officials have been supportive, and our partner, Chikonde Youth Organisation, has remained committed.
With every interaction, my fears faded. Today, I can confidently say my smiles are real and warm. I have grown to love this community because it is full of potential, resilience, and hope. This journey has taught me to face my fears and embrace growth, and this is only the beginning.
