My time serving in the community has been an enriching journey filled with invaluable lessons and experiences, all thanks to CorpsAfrica. Through active listening, keen observation, effective facilitation, and collaborative efforts with locals, I continuously learn and grow both personally and professionally.

Over the past months, my experience has been nothing short of exciting, educational, and impactful. One of the highlights has been the successful distribution and planting of 4,000 trees from the nursery we established. This achievement is truly worth celebrating. Additionally, establishing community woodlots and an orchard at one of the primary schools, while encouraging pupils to take climate action, marks a significant milestone in our efforts towards environmental sustainability.

Working closely with the youth club I established provides another valuable learning platform. Here, we not only discuss environmental preservation and entrepreneurship but also foster an environment where the values, needs, and perceptions of the youth are respected. The potential energy within the youth is immense, and serving as a catalyst to set them in motion is truly rewarding.

Engaging in community meetings and designing projects tailored to address the community’s most pressing needs has been a month-long endeavor. The In-Service Training 1 (IST1) equipped us with the necessary tools to effectively tackle challenges associated with project design. The Asset-Based Community Development approach has proven to be a powerful tool, shifting the focus from the community’s perceived emptiness to the abundance of resources and strengths that can drive high-impact projects.

Witnessing the emergence of brilliant ideas from community members and harnessing the power of positive deviants has facilitated a more efficient and cost-effective internal knowledge and skill-sharing process. True liberation occurs when change originates from within the community rather than being imposed from external sources.

I am grateful to have been part of a process that empowers underprivileged communities to identify and address their challenges. Together, we are driving positive change and creating a brighter future for all.