Africa, a continent known for its astounding beauty, rich cultures, and untapped potential, is also home to underserved communities grappling with a multitude of challenges. My desire to make a positive impact on the lives of Africa’s people led me on a remarkable two-year journey with CorpsAfrica, an organization committed to empowering local communities, women, and youth through entrepreneurial initiatives and asset-based community development. This journey has been nothing short of inspiring, teaching me valuable lessons I’ll cherish for a lifetime. My Inception with CorpsAfrica Chapter One: CorpsAfrica/Maroc Two years ago, I embarked on a journey that would profoundly alter my perception of community development in the High Atlas Mountains. Fueled by a passion to uplift underserved communities in Africa, I joined CorpsAfrica, an organization rooted in the belief that the most effective change is driven from within the community. Their “hand up, not a handout” philosophy resonated deeply with me. As a volunteer, I collaborated closely with local communities, harnessing their existing assets to address the challenges they faced. One of the most heartening aspects of my journey with CorpsAfrica was the opportunity to empower women and youth, two segments often marginalized in these underserved communities. These individuals frequently confront limited access to resources, education, and economic opportunities. Yet, we firmly believe in their untapped potential as the driving force for positive change within the communities. During my time as a volunteer with CorpsAfrica/Maroc in the Atlas Mountains, I’ve had the privilege of working on several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to empower women and youth in underserved communities. Here are the SDGs I’ve been actively addressing: 1. SDG 1: No Poverty – We’ve focused on creating sustainable economic opportunities for women and youth, helping them lift themselves out of poverty through entrepreneurial initiatives and skill-building programs. 2. SDG 5: Gender Equality – Our efforts have particularly aimed at empowering women, enabling them to become independent entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and leaders in their communities, thus promoting gender equality. 3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – We’ve been committed to fostering local businesses, job creation, and economic growth, ensuring that individuals, particularly women and youth, have access to dignified work opportunities. 4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequality – Through our work, we’ve aimed to reduce inequality by equipping underserved communities with the tools and knowledge they need to improve their economic and social conditions. 5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Our focus on sustainable entrepreneurship encourages responsible production practices and the efficient use of resources, contributing to a more sustainable environment. 6. SDG 4: Quality Education – We’ve been dedicated to providing education and skill-building programs for youth, ensuring they have access to quality learning opportunities that will empower them for the future. 7. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Through our work, we’ve indirectly supported health and well-being by creating economic opportunities that lead to improved living conditions and access to essential resources. Our commitment as volunteers to these SDGs reflects the holistic approach of CorpsAfrica in working with underserved communities, ensuring that the positive changes we implement have far-reaching impacts, fostering sustainable development, and a brighter future for all. My service with CorpsAfrica/Maroc centered around entrepreneurship as a catalyst for transformation. We organized workshops and training sessions to equip women and youth with the essential skills and knowledge needed to successfully launch and run their businesses. Through these initiatives, I bore witness to incredible personal transformations. Women emerged as independent entrepreneurs and young people discovered their potential as future leaders, filling me with a deep sense of accomplishment. Chapter Two: CorpsAfrica/Rwanda My journey continues in beautiful Rwanda for the second year, the land of a thousand hills. I am thrilled to share the incredible journey I’ve undertaken as an exchange volunteer, collaborating with local communities and leaders to drive sustainable development in a Rwandan village called Rubara village in the Kinigi sector. In the heart of Africa, I’ve had the honor of bearing witness to the indomitable spirit and unwavering determination of the Rwandan people. I have had immense pleasure in learning the local language Kinyarwanda, which I used to deliver the Swearing-in Ceremony speech. I forever will remember the warm reaction of attendees to the ceremony as well as the immense connection with the local communities in Rwandan villages when they heard me introducing myself using their language. Eighty volunteers were deployed to their respective sites in eight different sites: Musanze, Huye, Gisagara, Gicumbi, Rulindo, Nyamagabe, Ngororero, and Gasabo. Together, since our deployment, we’ve been working tirelessly to effect positive changes that pave the way for a more sustainable future. Our mission extends far beyond merely improving living conditions; it’s rooted in fostering collaboration and empowering communities to take the reins of their development. Together, we’re focusing on: Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Establishing and sustaining eco-friendly businesses for community members. Agriculture & Food Security: Elevating agricultural practices to ensure food self-sufficiency and promote a nutritious lifestyle. Education & Skill Building: Equipping the next generation with knowledge and essential skills. Clean Water & Sanitation: Ensuring access to clean water and sanitation facilities. Every single day, I find myself inspired by the dedication of local leaders and the unyielding determination of the community members. Their passion for change is nothing short of contagious, and the tangible impact they create is truly remarkable. However, we acknowledge that we cannot achieve our goals in isolation. Sustainable development hinges on collective efforts, and we invite others to join hands with us in this noble endeavor. As a CorpsAfrica volunteer working closely with Rwandan communities, I’m proud to be contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aligned with the national agenda. In Rwanda, we are actively tackling SDGs that align with the country’s priorities, such as SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), and SDG 4 (Quality Education). Our work is intricately woven into the fabric of Rwanda’s development agenda, focusing on poverty alleviation, gender equality, job creation, reducing inequality, and improving education and skills among underserved communities. By addressing these goals at the community level, we are contributing to Rwanda’s broader vision for sustainable development and prosperity. Chapter Two: CorpsAfrica/Rwanda My journey continues in beautiful Rwanda for the second year, the land of a thousand hills. I am thrilled to share the incredible journey I’ve undertaken as an exchange volunteer, collaborating with local communities and leaders to drive sustainable development in a Rwandan village called Rubara village in the Kinigi sector. In the heart of Africa, I’ve had the honor of bearing witness to the indomitable spirit and unwavering determination of the Rwandan people. I have had immense pleasure in learning the local language Kinyarwanda, which I used to deliver the Swearing-in Ceremony speech. I forever will remember the warm reaction of attendees to the ceremony as well as the immense connection with the local communities in Rwandan villages when they heard me introducing myself using their language. Eighty volunteers were deployed to their respective sites in eight different sites: Musanze, Huye, Gisagara, Gicumbi, Rulindo, Nyamagabe, Ngororero, and Gasabo. Together, since our deployment, we’ve been working tirelessly to effect positive changes that pave the way for a more sustainable future. Our mission extends far beyond merely improving living conditions; it’s rooted in fostering collaboration and empowering communities to take the reins of their development. Together, we’re focusing on: Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Establishing and sustaining eco-friendly businesses for community members. Agriculture & Food Security: Elevating agricultural practices to ensure food self-sufficiency and promote a nutritious lifestyle. Education & Skill Building: Equipping the next generation with knowledge and essential skills. Clean Water & Sanitation: Ensuring access to clean water and sanitation facilities. Every single day, I find myself inspired by the dedication of local leaders and the unyielding determination of the community members. Their passion for change is nothing short of contagious, and the tangible impact they create is truly remarkable. However, we acknowledge that we cannot achieve our goals in isolation. Sustainable development hinges on collective efforts, and we invite others to join hands with us in this noble endeavor. As a CorpsAfrica Volunteer working closely with Rwandan communities, I’m proud to be contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aligned with the national agenda. In Rwanda, we are actively tackling SDGs that align with the country’s priorities, such as SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), and SDG 4 (Quality Education). Our work is intricately woven into the fabric of Rwanda’s development agenda, focusing on poverty alleviation, gender equality, job creation, reducing inequality, and improving education and skills among underserved communities. By addressing these goals at the community level, we are contributing to Rwanda’s broader vision for sustainable development and prosperity. My Approach as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer At the core of CorpsAfrica’s mission lies a human-centered design approach. This approach is based on the belief that solutions to the unique challenges faced by underserved communities can only be crafted by working in close collaboration with the very people who encounter these challenges daily. Engaging with community members through open dialogues, active listening, and genuine collaboration proved to be the linchpin of our efforts. The process of human-centered design not only allowed us to identify the problems but also brought to light the inherent assets within these communities. These assets, whether it was local expertise, available resources, or a profound sense of community, showcased the latent potential within each community to address its issues. Asset-based community development (ABCD) became our guiding principle as we embarked on the mission to empower underserved communities. Instead of fixating on their limitations, we concentrated on identifying and nurturing their strengths. This approach laid a solid foundation for sustainable development and equipped these communities with the resilience needed to face future challenges. By harnessing the existing assets within these communities, we were able to create innovative, lasting solutions. Whether it involved rejuvenating traditional farming methods, establishing local cooperatives, or fostering small-scale enterprises, these communities thrived in ways that exceeded our wildest expectations, filling me with boundless hope and inspiration. Conclusion My journey as a Volunteer in Africa has been a transformative experience that has deepened my dedication to sustainable development on the continent. The commitment I’ve witnessed among local communities in their pursuit of positive change is nothing short of inspiring, and it fuels my unwavering passion for this noble cause. I’ve learned invaluable lessons from the people I’ve worked alongside, lessons of resilience, determination, and the profound impact that collaboration and empowerment can have on communities. So far, my two-year service with CorpsAfrica has been a source of profound inspiration and invaluable lessons. It has solidified my unwavering commitment to serving underserved communities in Africa. Through my experiences, I’ve come to wholeheartedly believe in the immense resilience and potential for growth within these communities. My mission to continue serving Africa’s underserved populations remains steadfast, and I aspire to inspire others to join this noble cause. By focusing on the strengths and aspirations of these communities, we can unlock a brighter and more prosperous future for all. I remain dedicated to the sustainable development of Africa, knowing that it is the collective effort of individuals and communities that will truly bring about lasting and meaningful change.