Hands That Build, Hearts That Grow

When I began my journey as a CorpsAfrica/Rwanda Volunteer, I knew I was stepping into something meaningful, but I never imagined how deeply it would shape both the communities I serve and the person I am becoming. Service, I have learned, is not only about the structures we build; it is about the invisible bridges […]

From Dream to Reality: My meaningful journey as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer

The first day I arrived in the community (SouthWest Ethiopia, Shishinde (Keffa) District, Wana Bolla Kebele) as a CorpsAfrica/Ethiopia Volunteer, I was filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. To my delight, my host father was waiting for my arrival. I had already spoken to my host father before boarding the bus, and the […]

Building More Than Bricks

When I first received my deployment notice from CorpsAfrica/Rwanda to serve as a Volunteer in the Save Sector of Gisagara District, I was filled with fear and uncertainty. I remember the tears in my eyes as I packed my bags, wondering how I would adapt to a completely new community, far from everything familiar. Questions […]

From Seeds of Hope to Fields of Change

When I first stepped into Mutakara Village, the air was filled with voices of young people who carried dreams far larger than the opportunities around them. In every conversation, one idea kept returning like a refrain: passion fruit. To many, it sounded like a far-off dream, almost impossible to touch. Yet, it lingered in their […]

Where Listening and Working Meet 

“Muri kumva?” Are you hearing? “Murakora?” Are you working? These were some of the first greetings I heard in Kinigi. At first, I thought someone was checking if I could hear them, but I soon learned it is simply how people say hello here. The reply is “Yego turi kumva,” yes we are hearing. For […]

Moments That Touched My Heart in My Host Family

  The very beginning of my stay with my host family in September 2025 gifted me two unforgettable moments that I will carry forever. I arrived around midday on a Sunday and was immediately welcomed with a warm lunch already prepared. Later that evening, I joined my host mother to cut grass for the cows. […]

Why I Volunteer

Some stories are not often shared, mainly because they come with heavy emotions and broken dreams, along with traumatic experiences that a person may have suffered. I am overwhelmed even as I write this story, as I have only been able to open my heart to a few people. My story happened 16 years ago, […]

A Festive Christmas in Chanyoli Community

Christmas in Chanyoli is a celebration like no other, filled with vibrant energy and unforgettable moments. The day began with a flurry of activity as people dressed up in their best attire, music echoed throughout the community, and the streets came alive with excitement. Children, adorned in beautiful new dresses, laughed and played, adding to […]

Youth-Led Change Takes Root in Museke

The afternoon of July 27, 2025, marked the beginning of a new chapter not just for me, but for the youth of Museke Village. With a notebook in hand and purpose in my heart, I set out to connect with young people in my village, to form a savings group rooted in sustainable development. This […]