I couldn’t be more proud of myself that it has already been three months down the line serving my community in Majariro/Karonga as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer. I can attest that such a milestone indicates my unwavering commitment to working with the local people for a transformative and sustainable change in the community. The journey so far has been enriching with invaluable lessons and experiences. Regardless of the challenges the new environment presents, I can approach them with a sense of curiosity and excitement. As a quote by Roy T Bennet, says “Life is about accepting the challenges along the way, choosing to keep moving forward, and savoring the journey”. Since I arrived at my site, I inclined toward integrating into the community to learn local customs and become a trusted community member. As a catalyst of change, I realize that knowing your community, and building deep and trusting relationships with local members, is imperative in development work as vouched by Clifton Taulbert’s quote “Taking the time to build community, to get to know your people will have long-lasting benefits”. Furthermore, it can increase the effectiveness of projects by ensuring ownership over the work as it remains in the hands of the community. Therefore, I delved deeper into the community, establishing relationships and integrating through observations and participating in daily community events and activities such as public meetings, funerals, weddings, sports activities, and one-on-one visits, as well as volunteering as a primary school teacher. I also collaborated and maintained a working relationship with a couple of groups each with its unique dynamics and contributions, for instance, Village Development Committee, Umodza Village Saving Loans, Majariro Youth Club, Tovwirane COMSIP, Tiyezge Farm Club, etc. I engaged these groups in empathy-building conversations at locations where they conduct their daily activities in the community,  enabling me to be acquainted with insights on the social and economic issues affecting the well-being of the local members and ultimately developing a sense of shared purpose.

The kindness and support shown by the local people has been extraordinary. It has played a significant role in establishing a strong relationship between myself and the community. I believe that this relationship is the foundation for success. As I continue to serve my community, I value every experience that is shaping me into a profound community development practitioner. My ability to understand, adapt, and connect with the local people is critical to facilitating the transformation of rural communities in Malawi.