As a new Volunteer with CorpsAfrica, I initially felt panicked and helpless when I struggled to get permission from community leaders to start my work. Deployed to my site, I was eager to interact with community members, but my host family insisted I needed the chief’s permission. The chief was unavailable, and I felt stuck.

I tried to visit him multiple times, only to find he was unavailable due to a mourning period following the loss of the senior group head. I understood the situation but needed permission to start my integration activities. I felt pressure mounting, seeing fellow volunteers already attending meetings and bonding with their communities while I remained confined to my host family’s premises.

My host mother suggested that I approach the Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson for help, as the chief was unavailable. She thought he might be able to assist. I visited the VDC chairperson and asked if he could help me get started with interacting with the community members, explaining that I was eager to begin my work and that my Volunteer Liaison was expecting me to start reporting my activities. However, his response was, “I wish I could help you, but I can’t.” I was confused by his refusal and decided to probe further, explaining the expectations of my role and the importance of starting my work as soon as possible. Despite my efforts, he remained firm in his decision, stating that he couldn’t help.

I was puzzled by his rejection and wondered why he couldn’t grant me permission to start interacting with the community members. I had assumed that as the VDC chairperson, he would have some level of authority to facilitate my integration into the community. His response left me questioning the dynamics at play and seeking alternative solutions to move forward.

On the fifth day, the chief finally visited me and apologized for his unavailability, explaining that he had been extremely busy. The following day he arranged an introductory meeting with the entire community, where I was formally introduced and given the permission to start interacting with the community members. This marked a turning point in my service, as the initial stress and uncertainty gave way to a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Following the introductory meeting, I began receiving invitations to attend various community groups, and I was amazed by the friendliness and supportiveness of the leaders and community members. For instance, when I initiated efforts to revive the youth club, the mobilization process was smooth because of collaborative efforts of the community leaders.

Reflecting on the VDC chair’s earlier decision to deny me permission to interact with the community, I learned that the community politics are complicated, during a subsequent conversation with him. He revealed that he had, in fact, possessed the authority to grant me permission, but had been constrained by the political dynamics at play in the community. As a son-in-law (Mkamwini) in the community, he explained that he lacked the standing to make decisions on behalf of the chief, and suggested that I might have had a different outcome if his position was occupied by someone who was a native in the community. This conversation marked a turning point in my understanding of the community’s inner workings, and I began to pay closer attention to the political dynamics.

When integrating into a community, it’s important to recognize that certain behaviours are influenced by unwritten rules that mark boundaries defined by the community politics. You may encounter individuals who possess the capacity to assist you, but refrain from doing so due to their respect for the community’s established boundaries. Do not be quick  to judge their actions as a lack of support for your service. Instead, focus on identifying alternative solutions that enable you to accomplish your objectives while ensuring inclusivity and avoiding marginalization of those with limited power. A key strategy is to seek permission to work with such people from the community leaders. In my experience, the VDC chair has become a vital integration counterpart, providing support as I navigate the community. He has been the one accompanying me to meetings and house visits in the villages far from where I stay. By respecting the existing power structures in my community I have been able to build trust and meaningful relationships in my community.