Have you ever heard someone say that change can be terrifying? It’s because, for most people, change means stepping out of their comfort zone and facing new situations or experiences. People are often afraid not of the change itself, but of the uncertainty that comes with embarking on something new, which many people associate with failure. To be honest, when I was selected as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer, I felt the same way. This meant I would be posted anywhere in rural Malawi, living and working with local community members from different traditions and cultural backgrounds for a year.

Leading a grassroots effort in community-led development is something that I have always been excited about. However, I must admit that I was also a little bit nervous about the outcome, considering that this kind of change is often described as not for the faint-hearted. Despite my reservations, I was committed to following my passion for community development, and I took the first step towards this by accepting a position in the Karonga district.

If you have ever been to Karonga district, you would understand the challenges of working in such an environment. For me, the most obvious challenge was the high temperature, which often reached about 40 degrees Celsius. This was particularly daunting since it was my first time in the area. I can understand why some people might prefer to stay in their comfort zones rather than experience such change. However, I was determined to embrace this change and to do my best to serve the community.

As I mentioned earlier, in addition to accepting change, having a passion for community development is a crucial factor in helping others overcome their challenges, particularly in rural communities. In my opinion, passion is the greatest motivator for taking action and overcoming any obstacles one may face when embarking on an adventure. Furthermore, change is necessary for personal growth. I believe the opportunity CorpsAfrica provides is tremendous for my personal and career development. During the six weeks I spent on site, I received a unique set of skills through a Human-Centered Design and Asset-Based Community-Led Development pre-service training that fully prepared me for my work with the local people.

“CorpsAfrica has helped me step out of my comfort zone and grow personally and professionally. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of the solution for rural communities in Malawi.”