On August 12, 2024, I began my journey as a volunteer with CorpsAfrica, and that moment marked the beginning of a profound learning experience about life. It was when I truly understood the harsh realities many people face, around the world. I gained insight into the struggles of people, especially those in rural areas, who suffer from various challenges they didn’t create, but still have to endure. You might wonder, “How did I come to know all this?” Well, let me share a small part of my life story.

In 2016, I was supposed to begin Senior 4 (Class 4), but my journey to education wasn’t as straightforward as I had hoped. My education was entirely dependent on my uncle, who was the only one in our family with some financial stability. He understood the value of education, so he decided to send me to school. However, in 2016, he visited our village and told my sister that she should take me to school, as he claimed he didn’t have the money. The truth was, the money he had was already earmarked for his personal plans.

At that time, my sister, who was also a student in Senior 6, was struggling with her own responsibilities. To help, we decided to sell the goat she had, which gave us 25,000 Rwandan Francs. With just three days left before school opened, my sister sent me to the market with the money. But being young, I only bought a few essential items, thinking I could rely on borrowing materials from wealthier students. I didn’t buy things like body lotion, sanitary pads, soap or other basic necessities that every student needed.

While I was at the market, my sister contacted a man with a boutique in Kayonza market, asking him to look out for me. She wanted to warn me not to buy school supplies, as I had been selected to be a Mastercard Foundation scholar. They had already told her not to worry about my materials because they would provide everything I needed for school.

At the time, I didn’t fully appreciate what it meant to give back. When we were at school, we would organize donations to support other students with supplies like books, pens, and sanitary materials, but I never felt the deep value of those actions. I did it simply because others did.

My education continued under the sponsorship of the Mastercard Foundation from 2016 until my university graduation. I often wondered how I could repay them for everything they had done for me. Little did I know, my path to giving back would come through CorpsAfrica.

After graduation, I was given the chance to volunteer with CorpsAfrica Rwanda. At first, I didn’t understand how this experience would affect me personally. I thought volunteering was just a way to help others, but it has been far more impactful than I could have imagined. CorpsAfrica became the bridge that connected my past with Mastercard Foundation and allowed me to pay it forward.

Through CorpsAfrica, I learned the true meaning of empathy. I gained practical knowledge of kindness, respect, and humanity things I had only understood in theory. For example, it always touches my heart when I speak to people, even those older than me, about the value of education and see them take action to send their children to school. When I meet a young person who has been sent home by a teacher because they lack something as simple as a pen, I can give them one, and it makes me feel fulfilled. I understand their struggles deeply because I’ve been there too.

By now, I feel proud to know that through CorpsAfrica, I’ve helped more than 30 young Rwandan women in just five months. I’ve helped them build confidence and find their own path to sustainable development. In my small way, I’m giving back to the community, and it feels incredibly rewarding.

I now see how volunteering can make a real difference. It’s not just about helping others, it’s about connecting with them on a deeper level, understanding their needs, and offering support. CorpsAfrica opened my eyes to the role I can play in transforming Rwanda and Africa as a whole. Volunteering has taught me to think about my own experiences and how to empathize with others, seeing things from their perspective.

Without CorpsAfrica, I don’t know how I could have given back to my community. Volunteering has shown me what it means to feel truly fulfilled. Giving back is like lifting a heavy stone off your chest. The joy of seeing people smile because you’re there for them, supporting them, and understanding their struggles is a blessing. The passion of young Rwandans working hard for their future and their communities is awe-inspiring. Volunteering has allowed me to experience a level of happiness and purpose I never thought possible.