Before arriving in Cape Town, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had heard from past ACE participants that this trip would be “life-changing,” but that’s a strong term, and quite abstract. I was excited, nervous, and maybe even a little skeptical. What could I specifically bring to this community and what would I take away? That first day, I felt a little out of place. Walking through the township of Langa, I was worried that simply being there would feel intrusive. But in a conversation with a local coffee shop owner, he said something that stuck with me: “You’re not tourists. You’re visitors. You’re here for a reason. To make a difference.” That distinction meant a lot. It reminded me that service isn’t always about tangible results, it’s about relationships, presence, and respect. From that moment on, I began to see Langa not as a place I was passing through, but as a community I was becoming a part of.
One of the most powerful parts of our experience came from the children we worked with. At first, it felt like we were there to teach them, through sports, mentorship, and activities. But as the days passed, I realized they were teaching me. They showed me what true joy and happiness looks like – something I feel like I haven’t experienced in a while. Whether we were playing rugby, dancing during freeze dance, or simply hanging out, the kids reminded me how to have fun again. They showed me how to be fully present, how to laugh freely, and how to connect without overthinking. Furthermore, this experience gave me a whole new perspective on sport. As student athletes, it’s easy to complain about early mornings, tough practices, and competition stress. But in the townships, there were so many incredibly talented kids who most likely will never have the opportunity to compete beyond their after-school programs. It made me realize what a privilege it is to be able to pursue my sport at such a high level, and how much I take for granted. If it weren’t for my sport, I wouldn’t be at Duke, let alone have gone on this amazing trip.
Something I found especially meaningful about working with young children was how much they could express without words. Some of the children couldn’t articulate their thoughts, but that didn’t matter. Running to give us hugs, their smiles, their energy, that said it all. It hit me that much of our impact was emotional, not measurable. And we weren’t there to “fix” anything or to act as saviors. We were there to help plant seeds of confidence, of hope, and of possibility.
Through our work with Ladles of Love, we learned about the concept of Seva—the idea of giving purely to give. Not with the expectation of something in return, not for credit, not even for the feeling of doing good. This idea wasn’t entirely new to me as I believe it was something my mom practiced frequently, but it helped me be more intentional and open. Whether we were coaching, working in the soup kitchen, or walking through the community, I tried to show up without expectation, just openness and intent. I also saw how poverty can take many forms. At the soup kitchen, not everyone we served looked homeless. But that didn’t matter. We helped everyone with the same care and respect. That taught me not to make assumptions based on appearances, something I’ll carry with me long after this trip.
Finally, I can’t write about this experience without mentioning the group I shared it with. By the end, we weren’t just fellow ACE participants, we were family. We all became close very quickly, and I believe that showed in everything we did. When working with the children, our bond strengthened our leadership skills and emphasized how important connection is to meaningful service.
Leaving Cape Town was harder than I expected. But every time someone asks me, “How was South Africa?” I smile and think of all the people, moments, and lessons I now carry with me. The ACE program reminded me that real service isn’t about swooping in with answers, it’s about showing up, listening, learning, and being present.