When I look back to the day I got deployed to my site, I feel proud of myself because I did not think I could reach this far. When we were coming to my site, my fellow Volunteers joked about my site to lighten the mood and ease my mixed feelings towards the volunteering service. They said, “Look at your site; you will be leaving behind the mountain.” We laughed it off and continued our journey, not knowing what to expect. Now, nine months later, I can say that the journey hasn’t been bad at all. Serving as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer has been an amazing opportunity despite facing different challenges. In fact, I had fun and experienced a lot of personal growth and I really enjoyed working with my community members in implementing different activities. We often sang and danced together, which enhanced a strong relationship with community members. I have learned a lot of things in my community including new traditions and values. I have tasted new foods, experienced a different culture, and adapted to a whole new way of life. One memorable experience happened a few days after I arrived in my community. I went to draw water from the borehole and suddenly, women and children started kneeling and clapping their hands. I was confused and wondered what was happening. A woman explained to me that they were paying respect to the chief who was passing by. At first, I found this a bit weird and amusing because I had never seen anything like it. But over time, I learned that this is how they show respect to the chief, and now I do it too and enjoy it.
Currently, my community and I are working on our primary project, and I am happy to say we are halfway through. I am incredibly proud of my community for their effort in choosing, contributing to, and working towards the success of this project. Their dedication and hard work have been inspiring. Reflecting on the past nine months, I am grateful for the chance to serve as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer. This experience has allowed me to contribute positively to the community and grow personally. I have faced challenges, learned new traditions, embraced a different culture, and built meaningful relationships. Each day has brought new lessons and experiences, enriching my life in ways I have never imagined. My journey as a Volunteer has been transformative since the initial fears and anxieties have turned into a deep sense of fulfillment and pride. I am thankful for the laughter, learning, and love I have encountered along the way. As we continue to work on our project, I look forward to the future with hope and excitement, confident that together, we can achieve great things.
