Mark Wilson during his Rotary Youth Exchange in South Africa.
By Mark Wilson, Rotary Club of London
After a long flight from London, I arrived in Durban, South Africa, in 2011 to begin a year as a Rotary Youth Exchange student, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Canterbury and hosted by Westville Rotary. I did not know what or who would be greeting me, so I had a bit of anxiety which I can clearly remember to this day.
In hindsight, of course, I had nothing to fear as I stepped off the plane into King Shaka International Airport. What followed was an adventure like nothing I had ever experienced before. Enjoying many opportunities to volunteer made me feel as though I was making a contribution to the world. And taking time to listen to my hosts, I learned a lot about South Africa.
The meaning of kindness
But by far the most memorable part of the trip was the people. Rotary members and their families inspired me, and those interactions had a lasting impact on me. Rotarians showed me the meaning of kindness, generosity, and love. I thank Rotary and the wonderful people in South Africa for giving me first-hand experience of …read more
Source:: Rotary International Blog
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