Mballo Tega, a small village in the North Bank Region of the Sabach Sanjal District predominantly wollof and fana fana became the place I am fortunate to serve and unknowingly, the place that would gently reshape me.

My arrival was far from graceful. I shed tears the moment I reached my community, I was filled with doubts, fear and deep uncertainty on what laid ahead. As familiar faces boarded the vehicle and disappeared from sight, my thoughts became loud. That first night was long and painfully heavy, that kind where sleep refuses to come and questions refuse to rest.

Morning came with a quiet shift, though I still had doubts but one thing was certain and clear, I was here for a purpose and fulfilling that became my only goal. From house to house visits to my very first community meeting to introduce myself and CorpsAfrica, my community members did something special, they included me in their space, their daily activities and even in tasks I didn’t fully understand but nodded anyways. I began to feel comfortable and confident even.

What stood out most for me was the kindness and warmth. The way they shared the little they had with the biggest smiles as if abundance was a mindset, the way they are willing to help whenever I needed them and the daily prayers from the grandmothers’ in the community became the highlights of my day. Honestly, nothing boost your confidence like knowing someone is constantly remembering you in their prayers. 

In these little moments of shared laughs, sharing of knowledge, the ability to connect through our differences and prayers from grandparents, I realised that I am prepared for the journey. The experience humbled me in ways I never expected and I wasn’t just welcomed, I was embraced. The period reshaped how I think, how I saw my community and it renewed my confidence and reminded me that service, when done with purpose and humility has a way of changing you as much as it changes the place you serve.

One thing Mballo Tega taught me is that, sometimes, you arrive at a place with tears but you stay because you find a home.