Reflecting on the past month, I have more to appreciate about my journey which has taught me more about patience and humility. I have grown to be more resilient and understanding. This educative journey has not been without challenges and setbacks, but challenges are merely speed bumps that need to be seen and approached with the right speed. Sharing and networking have been a great support system in helping to see the speed bumps and contribute in preparation to implement our primary project. We had to bring our heads together and resonate together at the same time racing against time. 

In my seventh month of service, I feel more like a community member than a Volunteer. It’s satisfying that most of the community members now understand the model of CorpsAfrica and the benefits they have towards project sustainability and beneficiaries. Although some are lamenting about the scrutiny and the long process, they have come to agree that the process is indeed necessary and helps in coming up with community-led projects and leads to sustainability. 

This process provides a great avenue for learning to me; have been facilitated on more than I have facilitated, and I have received more advice and support throughout the process that have helped me understand better the importance of community involvement in identifying and implementing a community project. 

As we are looking forward to implementing our community project, I look back to how far we have come and what we have achieved as a community, this gives me hope for the future and what we will achieve with our determination and networking. It’s important to note that mental health is the most important part of this process. I have always been mindful of being straight mentally to effectively deliver on my mandate. Sharing my experiences with my network has always helped in keep my mental capacity in check. Am grateful that I got this chance, it is quite an experience!