Village life is a gentle clock, ticking with heartbeats rather than hours
As I reflect on my integration phase, I can’t help but feel overjoyed and warm-hearted by the way the community has embraced me. The opportunity to learn, connect, and share in the simple joys of life has been one of the greatest gifts since I began volunteering with CorpsAfrica. My first week was filled with […]
AMBIVALENCE: A NEW BEGINNING IN YERRO BAWOL
Ever since I was dropped off in my host community, Yerro Bawol in The Upper River Region and the deployment team drove away, I felt something I had never experienced before. As I stood there watching them wave goodbye, a strange mix of emotions washed over me. I smiled on the outside, but deep in […]
Creating Lasting Impact: The Ripple Effect of CorpsAfrica Service in Jiffin Community
Located in the Lower River Region of The Gambia, Jiffin Community, like many rural areas, faces challenges including limited income opportunities, youth unemployment, climate vulnerability, and lack of reliable transportation, particularly during medical emergencies. During his year of service as a CorpsAfrica Exchange Volunteer, James Kaguyu Njau from Kenya worked closely with the people of […]
MY FIRST DAYS IN MY COMMUNITY KUNUNKU
The real test of everything learned during PST began on 16th December 2026. First day in my community Kununku when Theory Meets Reality. It was the second day of deployment, exactly at 12:44 p.m. on Tuesday, and I was the second volunteer to be deployed. Arriving in Kununku, I was nervous, more nervous than I […]
THE POWER OF REFLECTION: MY INTEGRATION JOURNEY AS A CORPSAFRICA/MALAWI VOLUNTEER
Integration does not just mean becoming one of the community members, but coming to understand them. For you to understand them, you need to listen deeply through the lens of empathy. Listen to the things they talk about and beyond. During Pre‑service Training (PST), I came across various concepts. However, during my integration period, I […]
Reviving old wisdom: How a Charcoal Briquettes making activity sparked new appreciation of the past
During one of my routine walks through the community, I encountered a man on the road who immediately drew my attention with his thoughtful demeanor. He greeted me warmly and asked if I knew anything about diseases affecting pawpaw seedlings, explaining that many of his seedlings had been dying. I admitted I did not know […]
NOVEMBER: A MONTH THAT HUMBLED ME… AGAIN
Here comes November, well, well… Hold your breaths, guys, because I’m about to blow your minds away! This month has been both sides of a coin. The good, the tough, the lessons, the plot twists, November packed it all. Those humility pills I had stored for emergencies? Believe me, I’m still getting a refill. Crazy, […]
Unforgettable Moments with My Little Friends Benigne and Hervin
As I reflect on my time with my host children, Benigne and Hervin, my heart fills with joy and warmth. From the very first moment we met, it felt as though we had known each other for a lifetime. These two little bundles of energy, aged two and four, welcomed me with open arms, and […]
Stepping into the Unknown
For as long as I can remember, I carried a quiet passion for helping others. Volunteering felt like a dream tucked away in the corners of my heart, something I admired from afar but never imagined I would actually do. That changed the day CorpsAfrica opened a door I never thought I could walk through. […]
My Lifetime Lessons with CorpsAfrica
In February 2023, I made a decision that would change the course of my life. Motivated by a strong desire to give back to my community especially after witnessing how organizations like FAWE Rwanda empowered disadvantaged youth I applied to become a CorpsAfrica volunteer. What I didn’t know then was that this choice would transform […]