Let’s quickly go back to Chemistry class. Remember how catalysts work? Don’t worry—I’m not here to make you feel like you should have paid closer attention in high school! A catalyst is a substance that accelerates a reaction or provides the required change in temperature or pressure to ignite one, without being used up in the process. Now you might be wondering, why is this community development Volunteer talking about Chemistry. Be patient—it’ll all link up soon.

Four months ago, during CorpsAfrica training, we were introduced to the various roles a Volunteer can take on. One of these key roles? Being a catalyst for change. If someone had asked me then what that meant, I might have said something like “speed up,” “lead,” or “spearhead development.” Those words sounded pretty good at the time, but now they feel more like abstract jargon.

After spending three months immersed in my community, the meaning of “catalyst for change” is finally coming into focus. It’s clearer than ever that my role isn’t about replacing the community’s ideas or imposing new ones. Instead, it’s about introducing new ingredients—like training sessions, fresh skills, and a shift in mindset—to help the community craft strategies that work for them. I’m here to accelerate their progress, not take over.

Traditionally, development organizations send in teams of professionals to understand the community, gather insights, and propose solutions. While well-intentioned, this approach often overlooks a crucial truth: no one understands a community better than its members. By contrast, the model I’m part of focuses on empowering the community to lead its development.

As a single Volunteer, my role is to engage deeply with the people I’m serving. I’m here to equip them with tools to drive their progress, facilitate learning and collaboration, and support them as they design strategies tailored to their unique needs. Through this joint effort, community members develop a stronger sense of ownership over projects. That sense of ownership boosts confidence, builds consensus, and sustains long after my role is complete.

Now, let’s get to the real stuff: Using the Community-Led Development model as a catalyst for change does have its challenges. For one, it’s a slow process. Mindset change doesn’t happen overnight; it’s about teaching people to fish, not handing them the catch. Some days, the “students” might show up too tired, bring the wrong fishing gear, or not show up at all. It’s teaching me patience, humility, and the importance of stepping back to let others take the lead.

Right now, I’m standing alongside my community, waiting patiently for their success story to unfold—for them to stop focusing on what they don’t have and embrace the resources they already have. I’ve come to understand that sometimes my job isn’t about pushing or pressing. It’s simply about showing up, being present, and offering quiet support. They already have what it takes to transform their lives. My role is just to give them the nudge they need to make it happen.