Shannon – “I’m So Glad I Chose United Through Sport”

Arriving in South Africa

At first I was super anxious but as soon as I met the other volunteers and staff at United Through Sport (UTS) I felt super welcomed and excited! Kate James, lead programme coordinator, was super helpful and supportive. Kate prepared us for the coming weeks and ensured we were all confident in our roles in the programme. This was comforting as it meant we weren’t thrown in the deep end when arriving at the schools! Holly, programme coordinator, was also super helpful and made the whole trip fun and enjoyable! It was a dream of mine to do something like this to support those who aren’t as fortunate as myself. After a lot and a lot of research to make sure I was doing it the correct way, UTS felt like the best option.

I can now confirm that it truly was, I’m so glad I chose UTS! If you’re looking for a few weeks of meaningful travel I cannot recommend United Through Sport enough.

Truly, United Through Sport

I was very lucky and got the opportunity to coach dance which was insane, I’ve never met such talented little dancers! We were coaching grade 4 and 5 and they were very respectful and grateful. The typical day started by leaving for placement at around 8:30am, we went straight to the schools where we started with a “Learn to move” session which focused on simply getting the children to move and have fun. There was no real one sport pushed during these sessions just an opportunity for the children to develop their gross motor skills. We then jumped back on the bus and headed to another school and that’s when we began the dancing. These are now dances I do in my sleep! My absolute favourites being “Magumba” and “On the floor”.

The Social Side

The social side of this experience has honestly changed me and my life forever!! I have met true sisters and will now have to travel the whole world in order to see them all again (thanks for that). My favourite adventures were honestly just anytime we could all come together as a group and socialise together. One night I even put on a show for everyone which lasted about an hour and I’ve never felt so loved and appreciated. Jefferys bay is also a massive highlight as we got the opportunity to go surfing which is something I’ve always wanted to do and somehow I actually caught a few waves (lying down)!

These experiences really made my experience so special as the trust and bond we all built was so beautiful, we were all there to support each other. I have made some real friends for life and am so grateful for United Through Sport for making this possible.

Memorable Moments

What I’ll remember most from this trip is a Grade R class I spent time with. The children and their teacher welcomed us with open arms, and it was incredible to see how quickly they became comfortable and confident around us. I got to share some stationery and bracelets with them, and seeing their excitement over something so simple reminded me how much joy can be found in small gestures. It was a truly humbling and special experience.

This experience was incredibly meaningful and challenged me to open up and express my emotions. The children’s joy, energy, and determination inspired me and reminded me to appreciate the small things in life, like sharing a moment, learning together, and celebrating every achievement, no matter how small.

Volunteer Programmes and Internships with UTS South Africa are more than just a placement, they are truly an unforgettable travel experience. For further insight into trips like Jasmine’s, read past volunteer Denise’s Travel Magazine.