STANFORD, Calif. - Seniors Caitlin Keefe and Morgan Hentz traveled abroad this summer with the Rubenstein-Bing Student-Athlete Civic Engagement (ACE) Program, which provides one-time funding for Stanford and Duke student-athletes to participate in a three-week, immersive summer service experience.
Keefe spent time in South Africa where she assisted in running a sports-focused school holiday program for children in the informal community of Nomzamo Township near Gordon's Bay, while Hentz visited Viatnam and served alongside a team of Vietnamese college students, teaching academics, sports, and life skills to middle school youth at a summer camp in rural Vietnam, with a focus on mentorship and promoting higher education.
In their own words, they share their thoughts and what they will take away from their experiences.
Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve - Caitlin Keefe
On June 17, 2019, I entered the small township of Zola for the first time. I was excited, a little bit nervous and had absolutely no idea the impact this community would have on me. When our driver turned off the main highway and into the township, the first thing I noticed was a sign that read "Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve." I saw this sign and felt confused. I believed I was entering to serve. After all, the whole reason I was in South Africa in the first place was to run a sports camp for children and help facilitate a women's empowerment workshop. I did not want to serve after I had left; I wanted to serve while I was there!
My first day of work came and went, and before I knew it the week was over. On our way out of the community on Friday evening, I saw the sign once again, "Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve." And then it hit me! When reflecting on my first week in Zola, I realized that I had learned more from my students than they had learned from me. I finally understood what the sign meant. ACE in South Africa not only provided me the opportunity to serve but also to learn from the people I was working with— to learn about their way of life, their language, their history, and their culture. From that day forward I vowed to learn as much as I could from the children and adults I was working with. Below, I will share with you the two most important lessons I learned during my time in South Africa.
The first lesson I learned is the importance of a strong community. I do not know my neighbors at home. In fact, I am embarrassed to say that I do not even know who lived in the room next to me last year at Stanford. However in the township of Zola, it is so different. Even if they are not related, most people call each other "brother" or "sister." They greet each other on the streets and doors are open with children running in and out. Most importantly, the community values taking care of each other. At the sports camp, every time a younger camper would get knocked down, the older kids would instantly rush to his/her aid to make sure he/she was okay. Unfortunately, our camp had an enrollment limit and many kids had to stand outside the fence watching and cheering for their friends who were signed up. My heart was filled with joy when every day during lunch, my campers would share food with their friends, who were not signed up, through the fence. This amazing community took me in, made me feel welcome, and truly taught me the importance of fostering relationships! Without question, next year I will be knocking on my next-door neighbors' door at Stanford hoping to get to know them better.
The second lesson I learned is the importance of perseverance. There are many things I take for granted, and one of them is my ability to use technology. I was born in a country where most adults have access to a phone and know how to use a computer. However, this is not the case in Zola. During our final week in South Africa, we offered free computer lessons for the men and women of the community. My first student was a woman named *Monica. *Monica seemed nervous and explained to me that she had never used a computer before. I told her not to worry and assured her with a gentle smile that it would be very easy. I was very wrong. Using a computer is very difficult if you have never used one before. The first day I spent the entire lesson teaching *Monica how to turn the computer on and off and how to use the mouse. After three hours, she still did not understand how the mouse worked; however, *Monica did not give up.
Throughout the lesson she keep telling me, "I am going to get this." When she finally understood, she clasped her hands together exclaiming, "Oh it's so easy!" She cried of happiness. I cried of happiness. And when she walked out of the room, all of her friends met her the door and cheered for her. It would have been very easy for *Monica to quit. All of her friends were able to learn how to use the mouse in five minutes, but *Monica did not care. She knew that if she worked hard and did not give up she could do it. She refused to leave the room, even for a 5-minute break, until she had mastered the mouse. *Monica taught me that perseverance is not easy or quick, but with it, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. The next time things get difficult and I feel like giving up, I will think of *Monica and push forward until I succeed.
My time in South Africa was the most amazing experience I could have ever imagined. I learned so many valuable lessons from the people I worked with, and I will carry these lessons with me for the rest of my life. I am four weeks away from beginning my final volleyball season at Stanford. I hope to share my experience with my teammates and work towards creating a Stanford volleyball family that is centered on community and perseverance. I want to thank ACE for giving me a once- in-a-lifetime experience I will never forget! I also want to thank the children and women in Zola who taught me two of the most important lessons I have ever learned! In just three short weeks, my heart grew tenfold. Thank you so very much!
C'm on Vietnam - Morgan Hentz
ACE in Vietnam has been one of the coolest experiences of my life thus far. It's hard to fully and accurately encompass how unique and special our time in Vietnam was because it was full of so many new people, places, food and so much more! I believe my time as part of ACE and Coach for College already has and will continue to influence my life in many ways.
When I reflect upon my three weeks in Vietnam, the people, the American and Vietnamese college coaches, the CFC directors, and undoubtedly the students, have been the best part of the experience by far. In terms of the American and Vietnamese college coaches as well as the CFC directors, it was motivating and encouraging to be surrounded by people who were kind-hearted and extremely hard working. On a daily basis, the coaches brought so much energy and fun to the students of the camp through their passionate coaching and patient teaching. The consistency of their positive attitude and unyielding thoughtfulness, even in the face of some tiredness and ailments, were awesome to be around. On a daily basis, piggy-back-rides were given and water balloons were hurled at one another as simple ways coaches could keep camp light-hearted and full of laughter for the students. I'm so grateful to have been in the presence of people who were so enthused and excited to teach and ensure that the students of CFC were having a blast.
The love, time, and effort displayed by the coaches and directors of CFC every day for the sixth and seventh grade Vietnamese students is something I will never forget. By the end of our three weeks in Vietnam, it was difficult to say goodbye to the coaches and CFC directors because of all our shared experiences and the wonderful conversations we had with one another. It was clear to see how far-reaching openness to learning about one another's backgrounds and lives fostered meaningful relationships. From my time spent with the coaches and directors of ACE in Vietnam, I will remember the importance of always giving it your all in everything that you do with a smile on your face and with an open heart.
Aside from the directors and coaches of CFC, the Vietnamese sixth and seventh grade students made this experience so incredible and greatly impacted my daily outlook on life. They were extremely kind and a little shy at first but very welcoming and generous. They, too, were relentlessly hard-working. Through spending time with the students, I was mesmerized by their passion to learn more about academics and athletics. Each day, the students showed up prepared with their books, pencils, pens and huge smiles on their faces ready to learn. Many students rode their bikes to school, some for distances up to over an hour just to attend camp. Most students arrived early and would greet us with waves, smiles, high fives, and even hugs as we walked off the bus and into the school. In the classroom and on the field, there was often a determination to understand and accomplish the material or skills being presented by the coaches. It was wonderful to see how genuinely engaged and resolved the students were to grow in their academic and athletic pursuits. I loved having the opportunity to help teach English specifically because by the end of the camp, many of the students would try their hardest to have conversations in English with you, which could be really hard and frightening for students.
These students have ultimately taught me the importance of appreciating and making the most of my educational opportunities as well as opportunities to play sport. I will always remember their strength and passion to follow and go after their academic and athletic goals.
Thank you ACE in Vietnam for everything! This has been an unforgettable journey that I will always be grateful for and cherish dearly!