On the afternoon of July 27, 2025, I walked through Museke Village with a notebook in hand and purpose in my heart. My mission was simple but powerful, to connect with young people and start a savings group that would not only strengthen our livelihoods but also inspire sustainable development in our community. This was never just about money. It was about building trust, creating opportunities, and showing that young people can be leaders of change.
I began by greeting everyone I met, sharing the vision of saving together and growing together, while also explaining the mission of CorpsAfrica. Some youth signed up immediately, full of excitement. Others hesitated, asking for time to think. I respected their pace, but I kept going, house by house, conversation by conversation.
Knowing I could not reach the entire village in one day, I headed to the evening market where youth gathered in large numbers. There, I spoke about the benefits of saving with purpose. To my joy, 15 youth registered on the spot. The market became more than a place of commerce, it became a platform for transformation.
Momentum grew quickly. At village meetings and even during umuganda, those who had joined began encouraging others. Within nine days, more than 30 youth had signed up. Together, we decided to save 500 Rwf every Sunday, with a shared goal of buying livestock for each household.
To keep ourselves accountable, we introduced personal commitment notebooks where every member records their details, goals, and saving targets. Every five weeks, we review progress as a group. Interestingly, each member chose livestock as their goal, showing both unity and determination in our journey.
One young member, Niyisubiza Sandrine, said it best: “By saving together, we are proving that youth can be leaders of development, not just followers.” Her words reminded me that real change begins with persistence, listening, and trust. By learning names, calling members regularly, and showing up consistently, we built more than a savings group, we built a family.
But this is only the beginning. In the coming months, we plan to expand membership, launch an environmental project funded by our savings, and share our story with other villages so that they too can start their own groups. Change starts small, but it grows through unity. To every young person reading this, gather your peers, dream together, and act together. Museke is just one village, but it is proof that youth-led change can take root anywhere.
