Once upon a time in June, I stumbled upon a link to apply for CorpsAfrica while browsing the internet. Without a moment’s hesitation, I submitted my application. By July, an email inviting me for an interview arrived, and shortly after, I received a congratulatory message that filled me with joy.
The next six months were spent in pre-service training, where I immersed myself in the CorpsAfrica philosophy. I learned about community-led development and human-centered design, absorbing every lesson like a sponge. By the sixth week of training, I discovered my placement: Gisagara. The thrill of exploring this new community and collaborating on its development made my heart race. The swearing-in ceremony marked a dream come true, I was officially a CorpsAfrica Volunteer.
On September 26, 2024, I packed my belongings and set off on the journey to my site in Gisagara District, Save Sector, Shyanda Cell, Mpinga Village. After a long trek from Amakuza, I finally arrived at my host family’s home around 5:30 PM. A mix of nerves and excitement coursed through me, but as soon as I was greeted with warmth and kindness, my fears melted away. That was the moment I knew I was ready to integrate into this vibrant community.
Life with my host family was incredible. They not only welcomed me with open arms but also guided me through the intricacies of community life. They introduced me to local leaders and I involved in various activities, from kitchen gardening to community meetings and umuganda, the communal work days. Each experience enriched my understanding and helped me carve out my place within the community.
As I walked alongside my community in their development journey, I was inspired by the CorpsAfrica principles. I learned that through a shift in mindset, anyone can lead their development and that of their community, starting with the small resources available to them. I felt immense gratitude for CorpsAfrica, which had opened the door to this transformative experience and imparted such powerful philosophies.
Twitangire U Rwanda Tutiganda!
