Over the last three weeks, I entered a world far different than my own, unaware of how I’d respond to such a drastic change. On the group’s first real day working with the kids at VUSA, I could tell that everyone was excited but nervous with anticipation. Thoughts were racing throughout my mind as I saw all the children scrambling throughout the courtyard. What if I couldn’t communicate with them properly? Or what happens if I say something wrong? But all of those worries disappeared immediately as we hopped out of the van and were welcomed with warm hugs and big smiles. Before arriving in the townships, I carried assumptions without even realizing it. I expected hardship to overshadow happiness. But I was immediately, and gratefully, proven wrong. Despite facing many challenges, everyone we met made an effort to greet us, to talk with us, even though we were all “strangers from America.”
Seeing how accepting and kind everyone in the communities we visited was, I made it a conscious effort to give the same energy back. This trip reminded me how simple it is to make others feel appreciated, and how often we forget to do so in our daily lives.
One of the first moments during this trip when I truly recognized the power of small acts of kindness came from doing what seemed like the bare minimum. On our third visit to VUSA, instead of joining the rugby game, I chose to sit on the sidelines with a few kids who weren’t interested in playing. I wasn’t expecting anything significant, mostly just some quiet conversation, but what actually occurred that day was far more meaningful. I was approached by four girls who were curious, bright, and full of questions. They wanted to know everything about me, where I was from, what I liked, what my life was like back home. I answered each question with genuine interest and asked them similar questions back, and soon, our conversation flowed naturally as we bonded over shared hobbies, interests, and even silly YouTube videos. For a moment, it truly felt like we weren’t strangers, we were just people, laughing and connecting. As the day came to a close, I asked each of the girls to tell me their names so I could write them down and remember them the next time I visited. When I said this, I saw their faces light up, not because I did anything grand, but because in that small gesture, they felt seen. Valued. Remembered. In a world that moves quickly and often overlooks the smaller acts of kindness, moments like the ones I experienced can mean far more than people expect. The following time we returned to VUSA, I spotted the same four girls and, without hesitation, called each of them by name. The way their eyes lit up again, this time with surprise and joy, reminded me that kindness is something very easy to do and can be as simple as remembering someone’s name.
In the following sessions at VUSA, my relationship with the four girls only grew stronger. Each visit brought more laughter, more shared stories, and a deeper sense of trust between us. As the trip came to an end, the bond I had formed with them made the thought of leaving almost unbearable. It felt unfair to accept that I might never see my new best friends again. On our last day, that realization seemed to hit all of us at once. Two of the girls began to cry, quietly burying their heads into my chest and in that moment, the depth of our connection became clear. I had never expected to form such a meaningful bond in such a short time, and the emotion in their goodbye made me realize how much we had come to mean to one another. Despite the challenges many of them face at home, they showed up each day with joy, curiosity, and open hearts. Their strength inspired me. And the sadness in their goodbye reminded me just how powerful it is to be truly seen and cared for, regardless of where you’re from. Although leaving was one of the hardest parts of the trip, I walked away feeling an immense sense of gratitude. I now understand how beautiful it is to connect with people who live lives so different from your own and how those differences can actually bring you closer. Through the small moments and sincere conversations, I learned that kindness and connection transcend background, language, or distance. Through the small connections I made during this trip, I feel as though I was able to leave a piece of my heart in a place far from home, and in return, I carry the love, strength, and playful energy of those girls with me, wherever I go.
And to think this all started because I simply asked four curious girls for their names.