Rediscovering purpose and finding growth through IVEP

Editor’s note: Ozioma Okwuchukwu, who goes by “Oma,” is a 2024-2025 IVEP participant from Nigeria. She is serving as a teaching assistant at Lancaster (Pennsylvania) Mennonite School (LMS).

“WHY?”

“HAVE YOU NOT VOLUNTEERED ENOUGH?”

These were common questions I got when I was about to leave my country to come serve in the U.S. It took me a year to make up my mind to serve with MCC, a year of thinking and answering questions.

I grew up in a low-income home — “volunteering” was not a common term in my immediate community because everyone needed as much money as they could get. I started a full-time position as volunteer in 2018 and continued until 2022. It was the most satisfying thing. My experiences gave me a sense of purpose and taught me so many core values and skills.

After I left volunteering, I relocated to a new state in Nigeria and started a new job, but it was not the same. The joy I had found in service was not there.

I had heard about MCC when I was volunteering. They were a partner organization to my place of service. I kept all the information in my heart but was not ready to give up a good source of income to serve again.

But after a year of working, I felt a growing sense of restlessness, a feeling that there was more to life than my comfortable routine. I remembered IVEP. I knew that it was an opportunity I couldn't miss. I made a decision to serve again and applied to MCC.

An intercultural experience is something I have always dreamt about and having it come to reality is surreal. Participating in IVEP has been a transformative experience that has profoundly impacted my life. It has been a roller coaster of emotions, letting go of old baggage and taking up new experiences. Leaving behind a well-paying job and my family in Nigeria to volunteer in the U.S. was a daunting decision, but one that has taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, adaptability and the importance of serving others. I had to navigate the long processes of obtaining a visa and adjusting to new cultures. But despite the challenges, I was determined to make the most of this experience.

One of the biggest adjustments I had to make was navigating culture shock. Coming from Nigeria, I was used to being surrounded by family and friends. In the U.S., people prioritize their personal space and independence; they practice individualism while Nigeria practices collectivism.

As I settled into my new role as a volunteer, I worked with children and adults from different backgrounds, ages and abilities. It was a truly enriching experience, one that broadened my perspective and taught me valuable skills in communication, empathy and conflict resolution. I had to learn a different form of discipline from what I am used to with children. Meeting and talking with people who have a different mindset, culture, set of beliefs and character than what I came with is another example. I saw that the moral and religious beliefs also vary and what the church in Nigeria frowned upon was accepted in the U.S., and that was a good way of understanding people and changing stereotypes.

One of the most significant lessons I've learned through this experience is the importance of serving others. As a volunteer, I’m not receiving a salary or any material rewards. Instead, I am receiving something far more valuable — the knowledge that I’m making a difference in people's lives. It’s been a truly humbling experience, one that’s taught me to appreciate the simple things in life and to find joy in serving others. I get a lot of love from the kids, and the constant “I love you Miss Oma” is a reminder of why I do what I do.

As I reflect on my journey, I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in IVEP. This experience has been a catalyst for personal growth, spiritual development and cultural enrichment. I have learned to appreciate the beauty of simplicity, the value of community and the significance of serving others.

Participating in IVEP with MCC has been a life-changing experience; it has taught me invaluable lessons and will continue to teach me more. As I prepare to return to Nigeria, I am filled with a sense of hope and optimism, knowing that I have been equipped with the skills, knowledge and experience to make a positive impact in my community.

Banner image: Oma, third from left, joined other IVEP and SALT participants during orientation week in August 2024 in Akron, Pennsylvania. MCC Photo/Andrea Geiser Leaman