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Madison Lake
Cape Town Sports Coaching
What was your motivation to take a gap break?
I was stressed with school and work and felt like I needed to do something that could make a difference. The more I looked at programmes and heard about other stories, the more motivated I got to do something similar.
How did you feel before you joined the programme?
I didn't really know what to expect. I was nervous that it wasn't going to be as organized as I hoped. I also didn't know how much I would be able to make a difference on the kids we were going to be working with. But I was very excited and anxious to go.
How did Real Sport Experience assist you?
Real Gap definitely reached my expectations and did more. The coordinators that we worked with were amazing; especially the coordinators that we met while on our adventure. They were so friendly and willing to accommodate us and gave us rides if we needed them. They were very helpful in giving us ideas for what to do whilst in Cape Town.
What was the accommodation like?
The housing was way more than I expected. We stayed with a host family from England and the house was really nice. They made us meals that were amazing and the rooms were very clean. I felt very comfortable and right at home.
What did you think of the programme?
The programme was beyond compare to anything I've ever done. I wish I could've stayed longer and got to know the kids more. But the time we spent there was definitely a once in a lifetime experience and I would recommend it to anybody. The programme was very organized but also laid back. I didn't feel pressured to do anything and felt very comfortable after the first day in the programme.
What was the most memorable moment of your trip?
The most memorable part was being able to make the kids smile. We took them to the park to play sports or to the beach to swim everyday. They have such a desire to learn and play and when you teach them something new you can see the glow in their face when you help them. It was really fun teaching them how to play basketball and seeing how quickly they picked it up and how much they enjoyed it. We also pushed them on boogie boards and helped them surf and when they would catch a wave and smile you can't help but get a big grin yourself.
Did your programme meet your expectations?
The entire experience was worth any amount of money or time I put into getting there. The programme was organized and kept me well informed of anything new or any changes. The coordinators were so much fun to work with and also very helpful. The location was absolutely breathtaking. Cape Town is a beautiful place and I'm very glad I picked it.
What do you feel you accomplished during your programme?
Even though I wasn't there very long, I feel like I did make a difference in the kid's lives. Just being able to put a smile on their faces everyday made a difference in my life. The kids don't have very much so just being there to make them happy was a humbling experience. Not very many people actually take the opportunity to do something like this so just the fact that I was able to experience this is a big accomplishment for me. |
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How have you benefited from your experience? How have you changed?
I feel like I am a lot more appreciative of what I have in my life. It made such a difference seeing how little a lot of the people in Cape Town have but how much they still loved life. It was definitely a humbling experience because I feel so blessed for everything that I have.
What advice could you offer to someone considering this programme?
When I first signed up for the programme, I considered taking things for the kids because I heard they didn't have much. I didn't realize how little they really had until I got there. If I could go back, or recommend anything to someone who might be going, I would say that anything you're willing to give, they'd be willing to take. They were even short on pencils and erasers and had to share. Just know that anything you can do for them will make a difference.
 Cape Town Sports Project
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