The Power of Purpose-Driven Service
In an era where young people are seeking meaningful ways to contribute to their communities, youth Volunteerism stands as a powerful catalyst for civic leadership and professional development. Organizations like CorpsAfrica have demonstrated that when young individuals are equipped with the right tools, mentorship, and experiences, they not only uplift their communities but also emerge as transformative leaders in governance, social innovation, and professional spheres.
The Big event
CorpsAfrica will be hosting an All-Country Conference (ACC 2025) in Nairobi Kenya from 16th-20th June 2025 under the theme “leading with Ubuntu: African Youth Transforming the Continent”. Speaking at the CCA 2025 virtual stakeholder round-table Breakfast entitled “Pan-Africanism Re-imagined: the role of African Youth in shaping Sustainable Development”, Dr. Patricia Kingori Mugendi, the Kenyan Director for CorpsAfrica asserted the conference will host 1,000 youth from 10 African countries in June. This conference will be massive and should excite you as a young person. Attendees from around the world will join to learn and share their experiences with locally-led development, showcase innovations in community-driven solutions. Build a powerful Pan-African network dedicated to public service.
About Corps Africa
CorpsAfrica was founded in 2011 by former PeaceCorps Volunteer Liz Fanning with the idea of turning community development in Africa over to local change Makers. During her own service, Liz was approached by young Moroccans who wanted to be PeaceCorps Volunteers so they could help people in their own country, but she had to tell them it was only for Americans. That exchange sparked the idea for an organization built on the simple belief that young Africans are the catalyst for lasting growth in Africa. Building on the enormous success of the Peace Corps, CorpsAfrica offers a similar transformative experience to young Africans, giving them the chance they deserve to be a part of the solution and to find their place in the world.
By training highly educated young Africans to help local communities identify and solve their own challenges, CorpsAfrica is shifting Africa’s development sector from reliance on external aid to empowering and strengthening its most valuable asset: its people. Inspired by the PeaceCorps model, CorpsAfrica Volunteers are trained and posted to live in remote villages for up to one year to facilitate small-scale, high impact projects that are identified by local people.
Since launching its first program in Morocco in 2013, it has expanded to 10 countries across the continent and aims to expand to all 54 of Africa’s countries in the next ten years. To date, CorpsAfrica has hosted hundreds of Volunteers across Morocco, Senegal, Malawi, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda Uganda, Ethiopia and SouthAfrica.
I was part of the pitch day that took place in Uganda last and witnessed first had how community led solutions were developed by the different Volunteers in different Ugandan villages. They started up community markets, farming, bee keeping, book making and soap making among others. These youth were mentored, trained and facilitated by CorpsAfrica to support local communities to bring about sustainable development.
One of the stories that caught my attention was Makindu Youth Development Association of seven male youth that was formed in 2024 with the support of Ashiraf Kakaire the CorpsAfrica Volunteer. The group has members from 17 to 27 years and are now engaged in brick making for income. The project was initiated through conversations facilitated by Ashiraf about possible income generating activities that youth could do, using the available resources. Up until this point, there was no joint income generating initiative for the youth. As a write this blog today the group has grown in numbers and earn to UGX: 3,000,000 a month.
Bridging Passion and Impact
Youth volunteerism is more than just an act of service, it is a strategic stepping stone to leadership and career growth. Through CorpsAfrica, volunteers immerse themselves in local communities, working on pressing challenges such as education, health, economic development, and infrastructure. This hands-on experience allows them to cultivate essential leadership qualities, including empathy, adaptability, critical thinking, and resilience skills that remain invaluable in civic engagement and professional sectors.
CorpsAfrica impact and stories are not mere theories but they are facts with evidence and testimonies. During the Pitch Day (28th June 2024) held in Kampala, Muliisa Pneuma a corps Africa volunteer with the chairperson of Nakaseeta Village presented a community project that blew my mind. The Nakaseeta Community market was established in July 2024 under CorpsAfrica/Uganda. This market is located over 200 Kilometers from Kampala district, Uganda. The market initiative is a testament to the effectiveness of community led development and community engagement. What seemed a far-fetched thought became a reality as members have a market, they now call their own. These and many projects are a proof that the model works.
Developing the Leaders of Tomorrow
One of the defining features of CorpsAfrica’s Volunteer model is its emphasis on community-driven development. Volunteers do not impose solutions but instead facilitate conversations that lead to sustainable, locally driven initiatives. This participatory approach fosters collaborative leadership, where young people learn the art of engaging stakeholders, navigating policy frameworks, and building trust, all critical elements of civic leadership.
Moreover, these experiences set the foundation for a generation of ethical change makers who recognize the importance of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. The challenges faced on the ground equip Volunteers with the problem-solving mindset needed to address systemic issues, preparing them for roles in governance, NGOs, and advocacy.
Unlocking Professional Growth
Beyond leadership, youth Volunteerism offers unmatched opportunities for professional development. Many volunteers gain firsthand experience in project management, budgeting, impact measurement, and stakeholder engagement, which are highly sought-after skills in today’s job market. CorpsAfrica alumni often find themselves well-positioned for careers in international development, public policy, social entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility, leveraging the lessons learned during their service to innovate within various industries.
Additionally, Volunteering provides a unique networking advantage. Volunteers build strong relationships with community leaders, government officials, and development practitioners, opening doors to mentorship and future career opportunities.
The Call to Action: Investing in Youth-Led Change: As global challenges continue to evolve, empowering young people through structured, meaningful volunteer experiences remains an essential strategy for fostering civic leadership and professional excellence. Organizations like CorpsAfrica exemplify how investing in youth Volunteerism leads to sustainable social impact and leadership transformation.
The journey of service at CorpsAfrica is not just about giving, it is about growing, learning, and leading. It is also about cultivating young minds that will shape the future with integrity, vision, and purpose.
Are you ready to be a part of this movement? Join a CorpsAfrica Volunteer program, support youth-driven initiatives, and champion the next wave of change makers in Africa today!
