Written by CorpsAfrica/Malawi Volunteer Mr. Witness Chawinga

“A positive attitude may not solve all the problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.” – Herm Albright

This is the literalness of CorpsAfrica in Malawi and other countries by trying to make a difference in bringing change to communities by placing volunteers within their own countries. These volunteers have emerged to be more tactical and have brought more impacts in the communities placed. They have grown to more fitness, adaptability, and experience and acquired all the necessities for success while at their sites.

The first weeks of my service were very unsettling; I would dread conducting meetings, how am I going to speak before people who are mostly older than me (chiefs inclusive); and make sense? But I still needed to conduct those meetings, mobilize people for different development activities and get started on my work as a Volunteer in my site. This was the fear of most volunteers as I follow stories of my fellow volunteers from their different sites across the country. Yes, fear is only as deep as the mind allows but the secret of success is constancy to purpose. And so, with the skills and mindsets equipped by CorpsAfrica during the one-month training, I knew I had to strive for growth, change, success and sustain the glory of CorpsAfrica. I stood up to the obstacles, held the thought firmly, did what should be done every day, and now every sunset sees me that much nearer the goal of CorpsAfrica; promoting the professional and personal development of young Africans.

A few meetings down the line, I was able to identify a farmer’s club for a tree planting activity. It was heart-warming to see club members committing to this exercise and uniting as a community, and also the passion they had in conserving their own environment. This first tree planting project in my community gave me hope that it is possible.

My stay at my site, I have been given an opportunity to discover other passions and skills I didn’t know I have, and a platform to grow in those skills. Skills that will not only help during my service but also when I finish the service. You see, that’s the beauty of being a volunteer for CorpsAfrica. CorpsAfrica has helped and continues to help many volunteers, like me, work through complex development structures and it’s inspiring how CorpsAfrica is building up the youths in this country into strong young leaders.

A lot has happened and continues to happen. The impacts of different projects by volunteers in their respective sites cannot be hidden and these true value changes brought by CorpsAfrica to volunteers and the communities are lasting and consistent.

Indeed, nothing endures but change. The glory of CorpsAfrica is, but to live on.