Finalist 4 Vote Now

What's your favorite Childhood Memory?

After more than 12 hours crammed in the last row of the airplane next to my very irritated family, we dragged ourselves off the airplane desperate for some good food and rest before our next 12 hour flight. Unfortunately, the Dubai airport doesn't have food available at 4:30am. But they do have the most uncomfortable chairs I’ve ever sat in. After three hours of so-called sleep, we boarded our next nine hour flight, not feeling very excited about what lies ahead.

This is how my trip to South Africa began. Little did I know at the time that it would be an experience that would change the way I view my own life. When I was 13 years old, my dad dragged me and my sisters on a trip to a small village in South Africa. When I first heard about this trip, I had absolutely no clue what to expect. All I knew was that I had a sense of dread knowing that I would be away from my friends for nearly two weeks AND I would not be able to use my phone. Because of this, I really did not want to go, but realized I did not have a choice. Reality set in that this trip was actually happening about two days before we left, when I started packing. I remember putting my clothes into my suitcase and wondering what people wear in Africa. Would my Lululemon shorts make me an outcast? Did the people who live in this village even wear shorts? Because it was almost 90 degrees in Chicago, I just assumed that it would be hot in South Africa, so I packed all my shorts not realizing that it's winter time there.

After one of the longest travel days I have ever experienced in my life, we finally arrived. As we approached the village in the Providence of LImpopo about 4 hours north of Johannesburg ,my family and I were greeted by the Chief of the village and were shown to the houses where we were all staying. Later that night we were treated to dinner which was the first eye opening experience for me. Being able to try and taste new and different food than what I was used to was what really started to open my eyes to this new experience.

Over the next few days we helped around the village doing various tasks, including building fences, helping teach at the local school, and assisting with meals. I got to the point where I thought to myself, “Are we ever going to do anything fun on this trip?”. I didn’t have to wait long. The next morning, I learned that the people in this village had a love for the game of soccer. Since I had been playing soccer myself for nearly seven years, this was the opportunity I had been waiting for! I couldn’t wait to run up and down a soccer field, showing off my dribbling and scoring skills. When we arrived at the “field”, I realized soccer in this village was nothing like soccer in the United States. The field they played on didn't have grass. It was all dirt and the balls they used looked like they had been played with for over five years. But it didn’t matter. These villagers never experienced a turf field, official goal posts, or new soccer balls. They had all they needed with their plot of dirt and an old ball. The games we played over the next few days were some of the most competitive and rewarding soccer games I’ve ever played in my life.

On our last day in the village, I was surprisingly sad. I realized I was leaving all my new friends - friends who I probably would never see again for the rest of my life. But that day was also the most memorable. Before we left, the villagers organized a full 11 on 11 soccer game with players as young as five and as old as my dad (which is pretty old!). It felt like the entire village was watching. I remember the chants and all the laughter going on - on and off the field. It was at that moment I realized this entire village was experiencing the thrill of a competitive soccer game - all without grass, boundary lines, and a goal. They simply had a soccer ball and a large patch of dirt. That is truly a moment I will never forget.

Our trip had finally come to an end. On the plane ride home, I had plenty of time to reflect on how I felt. First, I felt very grateful for my family and where I live. I saw firsthand that many of the things that I take for granted on a daily basis are not even available to others who live half a world away from the Chicago suburbs. Second, it was very eye opening to see a new culture and the values that they hold, the main one being warm and welcoming to new people. No one in the village cared about what brands we were wearing, what friend group we were in, or which social media platforms we were active on. Not once did I feel like an outsider or unwelcomed in the village. Lastly, I was very surprised how easy it was to disconnect from my phone - which doesn't sound like a big deal but it sure was to me. Understanding that I didn't need my phone 24 hours a day to be happy was something that I value the most from that trip. To this day, knowing that real connections are made not through social media, selfies, or online stories, but through real human interaction has made me realize what is truly important in life.