You may wonder how stepping away from your comfort zone feels like…It just tastes like a muffin cake if there is passion and you are aware of what you are doing, and that was me.
It all started on the 8th of July 2024 at 6:50 PM; there was an important email inviting me for the interview since that time I felt ignited, very excited, and hoping to make it to being selected.
Time was ticking very fast and I found myself in the interview hall. I met with some of the CorpsAfrica/Rwanda staff; the interview moved on as they challenged me with different questions but of course, I was ready and very excited; as we were done with the interview I turned back home waiting for what was going to happen next.
A few days later on the 11th of July 2024; there came congratulations, at first I thought It was a dream until the 11th of August when I packed my bags and headed to AMAKUZA Resort- Pre Service Training Center.
I received a warm welcome from the CorpsAfrica/Rwanda staff, they were friendly and it was very incredible. I met other trainees and we bonded; everyone was new but to me, they were my elder brothers and sisters which made me even more comfortable because I got a new family.
The Pre-Service Training was even more colorful, I got a chance to learn more about CorpAfrica’s philosophy, and the HCD and ABCD approaches and the more I learned a lot the more I got committed and highly convinced. The PST has been my school to learn a lot from different angles as well as meeting with important people; this has enhanced my knowledge, shaped my mindset, sharpened my skills, and turned me into a very useful and important person for my country and Africa at large.
It changed from being a challenge and turned into a passion, it is a good choice that I cherish. Life as a trainee was promising that after 6 weeks I would turn into a CorpsAfrica Volunteer.
Time was ticking so fast and there came Swearing-In on 25th September. This event was very colorful; I was super excited to be who I had been waiting to be; then mine changed from being a trainee to a CorpsAfrica Volunteer.
The following morning there came buses; I and my fellow volunteers took our way to Musanze. Upon my arrival to Musanze; I met my host mum with her neighbors; they were very excited to meet me; and I was captivated by the warmth and vibrancy of this incredible community. From the moment I arrived, my host mother welcomed me like family, sharing delicious meals and stories that have made me feel right at home. Experiencing the rich cultural diversity here has been truly inspiring. I have had the joy of learning Kinyarwanda from eager children and absorbing the wisdom of the elders. Each interaction has deepened my appreciation for the strength that comes from our differences.
The journey with my host family was very helpful and contributed highly to my integration as my host family connected me with different important people in my community and this has been a base to start from. I continued my integration into the community together with community members where we started to do different activities including kitchen garden building initiatives, purposeful saving group initiatives, plate racks, attending community meetings, and other activities.
The beauty of Musanze continues to amaze me. Despite the challenges that come with adapting to a new environment, the support and kindness from the community have made this journey both enriching and uplifting.
As my service continues, I look forward to building connections, learning more, and contributing to this vibrant community. Here’s to many more weeks of community development, growth, laughter, and shared experiences in Musanze!
Thanks for reading!!
