On September 25, 2024, after completing training with my colleagues who were also selected to join the incredible CorpsAfrica family, I officially became a Volunteer after taking an oath. I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety about applying what I had learned during training. However, I recognized it as a significant opportunity, as the training aligned well with my college background.

The following morning, September 26, at 8:00 AM, I found myself in a car heading to my deployment location: Nyamagabe District, Musange Sector, and Masagara Cell in Cyabasana Village. Though I was nervous about visiting this district for the first time, the presence of nine other Volunteers made me feel less alone; I began to see them as siblings.

After a six-hour journey, I arrived at a center called Masizi, where my host family warmly welcomed me. My host parents greeted me with open arms and joyful smiles, treating me as one of their own. They introduced me to their daily routines, sharing their lifestyle and stories, while also telling me about the community’s culture. I was fortunate to be the third Volunteer they had hosted, and I quickly began helping with household tasks such as fetching water, chopping wood, and feeding cows.

Within a few days, they started introducing me to the community and local leaders. We scheduled meetings to discuss the mission and vision of CorpsAfrica, along with our Human-Centered Design (HCD) and Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approaches. We also addressed various challenges faced by the community.

I connected with local children through their games and listened to elders share their wisdom, especially their advice on utilizing available resources to meet their needs. My integration continued as I visited existing projects initiated by previous Volunteers, facilitating discussions with the groups they had worked with. It was heartwarming to see their excitement at welcoming a new Volunteer.

I also collaborated with my host family on daily activities, such as preparing the land for cultivation by planting seeds and managing manure, especially with the rainy season approaching. Additionally, I began working with a group of youth on savings initiatives and creating small businesses tailored to their resources. We also engaged in various community activities, including umuganda.

As the days passed, I learned about local activities, such as banana beer production. However, my time with the host family felt all too short. I took a moment to reflect on this remarkable integration journey and realized that the process is not just about sharing cultures; it’s about building bridges and creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration.