For a very long time, development in Africa has been under control by a few aspects and policies that have shut the door for inclusion and self-drive. Currently, development has taken a new shape, “Redefinition.” As a CorpsAfrica Volunteer, my main objective in the community I am currently serving is a mindset change, getting to preach the good “gospel” of Community-Led Development, which will pave the way for Asset-Based Community Development and Human Centered Design. From my few months in the rural place in Murinda sub-location, Tharaka Nithi county, I have concluded that the rural areas are so rich compared to the urban, some of them are untapped resources that can generate high-impact development. These resources are abundant and include water and natural resources, natural beauty, cultural capital, and the best of all is the Human capital, very talented and resourceful people with so much hunger for Development.

On realizing this, I embarked on a mission to champion Community-Led Development, placing the community at the center of the development process and letting them drive their development. This is so important in the fact that THE PEOPLE have deep knowledge of their place, and can very well identify the underlying and the historical problems they are facing and be able to tailor solutions that will fit in solving these problems from the root. As rural communities, we are now moving away from the notion that development can only happen after attracting investors and Business personnel to the rural places, instead the use of available local assets beats this all and consequently will later lead to the growth of businesses. The use of the Asset-Based Community Development approach will create capital from scratch, laying a proper foundation for other economic propelling activities without much strain.

The Community Led Development model is already in the rural communities’ spirits; this only needs radiation that will give a spark and pave the way for the development of the rural. Community-led development will move rural communities from the notion of using formal employment as a measured parameter of development. As a CorpsAfrica Volunteer, I am focused on engaging the community in conversations that see the investments in Local people, local resources, local institutions, local partnerships, and in general the local systems.

”Doing Development Differently” is the way to go.