Looking ahead to 2015!

I have a feeling that 2015 is going to be pretty special...

At the end of last year I made the decision to apply for the role of Team Leader on UK Sport’s IDEALS project and in November I found out that this summer I will finally be returning to Zambia. For anyone that knows me you will know how much that place means to me and how much I truly value the work projects such as IDEALS do.

A normal day during my 2010 placement

The IDEALS project is a UK Sport led programme which engages with over 40 university students every year. These students have all applied and successfully been selected to travel out to Zambia to volunteer and in 2010 I was one of those students. Whilst in Zambia I was based in the community of Chawama and spent 6 weeks delivering a sport and physical activity programme, utilising the power of sport as platform to educate those communities, particularly around HIV and Aids.  Every other day since 2010, in one way or another has been coloured by those memories and I have always longed to return. The vast array of sporting, personal and cultural experiences I encountered were life changing, impacting upon the way I view the world and how I interact with those within in. 

A picture speaks a thousand words

As a Team Leader in 2015 I am provided with an incredible opportunity to continue the legacy of IDEALS. I, along with another ex-IDEALS student, will ultimately be taking responsibility for the on-ground running of the project, helping prepare, guide and support all of the students who are travelling out to Zambia to volunteer. In addition to this, I will be working alongside a number of Zambian National Governing Bodies to help them in the development of their sport as well as taking up additional roles in coaching and media.

The task ahead excites me and scares me in equal measures. Returning to that country, a place I love and cherish is a privilege and through this role I hope to build on and continue the incredible work currently being undertaken. I wholeheartedly believe sport is a powerful tool that can be utilised to bring about change and I hope that during these four months I can leave an impact that will resonate beyond my time there. The most important thing is about making a difference, and IDEALS truly does that which makes projects like this worthy of support.

I have decided to continue this blog as a way of documenting my experience from start to finish. During my time in Zambia in 2010 I kept a hand written diary and I am grateful for the valuable insight this provides even now. To be able to go out to Zambia I need to raise £1000 to support me which will help cover aspects such as medical, travel, food and living costs as well as money to buy sports kit and equipment which I will be taking out for various projects to use. I am currently planning a number of fundraising events but any support you can offer would be greatly appreciated. All donations will go directly towards supporting my place on this programme.

To support me in my fundraising, please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/GetGraceGoing/ where you can find out more information and help me make this summer an experience of a lifetime as I set out to change lives in Zambia.