Gap Sports Abroad: Case Study

How do I start? All in all my GAP SPORTS experience to South Africa was without a doubt an amazing experience and one that as I reflect now was life changing to say the least! When preparing for my journey I felt nervous but excited about my trip but with top class support from the GAP SPORTS UK Team and any questions or queries I had were all answered which made me feel at ease. Upon arriving the GAP SPORTS local staff were superb and helped me and my group settle in quickly!! A credit to the GAP SPORTS set up in South Africa - the staff were always there for everyone no matter what!

The 3 month placement went by in a flash but I experienced so much on a day to day basis it was like I could have been there for a year or two. On a sad note I have to say that I was shocked by some of the things I saw when working in the townships. The poverty is heartbreaking and every day you just wish you could do something to change it and give the people living in the township communities hope and most importantly 'A Chance'.

My group was large but we quickly found a common ground and we became one big family within days. I made so many friends both within the group and local South Africans from the cricket team I joint and played for during my stay. It’s funny even though my new friends are from many different places I feel like I have made friends for life and to have experienced South Africa with them made it even better!

I couldn't reflect without mentioning the kids. Those that are thinking about securing a Volunteer placement with GAP SPORTS should realise it is all about the kids!! It is hard to find the words to describe the personal feeling you get when you work with the township children of South Africa... These children have nothing!! Within my cricket team of 11 at a primary school I coached at, only 3 of them owned a pair of shoes. However I have never seen so many naturally talented athletes in one place before! Every school was the same without doubt. The kids were amazing, fun and made you feel like a famous film star everyday when you turned up to coach them for an hour or two. They will love you and show you so much appreciation!! The sad point is that in the end you will have to say goodbye to them and trust me that is an emotional killer. Everyday I wonder what life has in store for them all?? I just hope that most of all they are happy.

I hope that somehow I made a small difference to the people I got to know and love within the communities of South Africa? Who knows. But what I do know is that my life is so much better because of my placement with GAP SPORTS.

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