Welcome and thank you for visiting my blog! As many of you know, I graduated from Dartmouth in June and was selected to be a Grassroot Soccer field intern. Grassroot Soccer (GRS) is a South-African based NGO founded by former professional soccer players. It intergrates the cross-cultural appeal of soccer with evidence-based HIV prevention and life skills programs that arm African youth with the knowledge, skills, and support to live HIV free. Translating research into action and leveraging the excitement around the 2010 World Cup, GRS attracts and engages African youth through schools, community outreach, and social multimedia. It is focused around the realization that the true power of soccer has always been connections that it creates between people. By using soccer players as role models, and the popularity of soccer to engage hard to reach young people, GRS combines social theory, public health methodologies, rigorous evaluation, and a huge dose of passion. Since 2003, over 270,000 youth in 16 countries have received comprehensive HIV prevention education through programs linked to GRS. By bringing the model to scale through innovative and sustainable partnerships, GRS aims to educate many more by World Cup 2010.

I am truly passionate about this cause and organization. However, in order to participate as an intern, I have been asked to raise $10,000 to cover my living expenses and I am currently $2,000 short of my goal. Please consider supporting me in the fight against HIV/AIDS and making a tax-deductible donation with the icon below. Thank you for the support and I hope you continue to follow this blog as I post updates throughout my internship.

Donate Now!

$

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Semonkong


This weekend, Hooter and I decided to trek to the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho to hangout with fellow intern Austin Haynes and his friend, Debz. We made the 3 hour drive to Maseru, the capital and Austin's residence, on Friday night and woke up early on Saturday morning to drive another 4 hours into the breathtaking mountains. Although the actual distance wasn't particularly far, we were traveling mostly on dirt roads, so it took awhile. But we didn't complain, as the slow drive allowed us to enjoy the gorgeous views along the way.

Our destination was Semonkong. It's known for hiking, pony-trekking, and what we ultimately came for: the longest commercial abseil in the world. Abseiling, which I'd never heard of before coming to South Africa, is bascially repelling down the face of a mountain. Despite being afraid of heights, I decided that doing the abseil would be a great idea and a fun way to liven up the weekend since I hadn't been out of Kimberley for 2 months.


This picture shows how vividly green it was there. I loved it since the Kimberley desert is rather lacking in the greenery department. It also shows the gorge where we abseiled.



Here we are walking to the start of the abseil. I'm simultaneously trying not to chicken out or pee my pants with fear.


Once I decided to do it, there was no turning back. What you cannot see is the deep-breathing I'm doing as I try not to look down or panic. I also refused to look at the camera and smile.


Where's Waldo? Can you see me? I'm on there (look for the green shirt to the left of the picture)! Hooter had trouble taking pictures since I accidentaly managed to set or at least near the record for fastest descent. The rope was pretty loose when I went down and I didn't know how to stop or slow down, so I pretty much clung to the rope with a death grip that burned my hands through the gloves. It wasn't until I reached the bottom that one of the guides told me what I should have done. Ha, nice timing. Still, I got some nice views and was less terrified than I thought I would be.


This one is a picture of Austin. I think it more accurately depicts the scale of what we were doing (the length of the entire abseil is 204 meters). He is the white speck to the left of the waterfall.


Hooter and I are happy to be on the ground again.


The crew - Austin, Debz, Hooter, and me - safely reunited.



Our humble abode for the night.


View from our humble abode.


Overall, a great weekend!

2 comments:

  1. Bravo, Kristin! Gorgeous views but I couldn't do it. -Gramster

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm glad you told us AFTER you did it! What a fantastic experience. -Ant

    ReplyDelete