Hello all!
First I would like to thank those of you that have donated to Grassroot Soccer in my name to help me during my trip! I'm extremely grateful for your contributions, and cannot thank you enough. If you haven't donated, and would like to help, please visit this link to make a donation: http://www.grassrootsoccer.org/what-you-can-do/donate/ .. If you would like to make a donation in my name, just be sure to state "On behalf of Shane Curran-Hays' internship".. Again, every donation goes directly toward my work in Lesotho. Regardless, I appreciate everyone taking the time to check out my blog!
Now.. I've never had a blog before, let alone ever written about my life in a journal so this should be a fun experiment! I plan on discussing anything and everything Grassroot Soccer (GRS) and Kick4Life (K4L), my travels, and experiences over the course of the next year in Maseru, Lesotho. So far I find it hard fully expressing my excitement, among other emotions, that arises at the thought of a year in Africa, but I will certainly try!
Until now my summer has been focused on fundraising, insurance, travel arrangements, medications, passports, backpacks, sleeping bags, etc. All of the (not so) fun part of preparing for a year away from the States. But through every preparation I've made I've realized two things: I have all the necessities I need, and I have no idea what I'm getting myself into! I've been told multiple times not to have any expectations, but it's very hard not to.. "Daydreaming" has taken on a new meaning for me, and now I am playing the waiting game, attempting to ease my anxiousness.
It's only 24 days until I leave for Hanover, New Hampshire on August 8th where all of the GRS interns will have an orientation. And then on the 12th I finally fly from Boston, to London, to Johannesburg, and, finally, my destination of Maseru. I'm enjoying the rest of my summer with friends and family, but find myself constantly distracted by thoughts of lions, elephants, and, of course, soccer!
I can't express how happy and grateful I am to work for a foundation like GRS and, more specifically, K4L. I believe fully in these foundations and realize that they are on the "front line" (for lack of a better term) in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS. I'm humbled by their initiative, and overly excited to help in any way I can. If you want more information on these two foundations, check out these links: http://www.grassrootsoccer.org/ , http://kick4life.org/ ... OR, if you like awesome youtube videos, check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyplef2Hi6Y ... Although I won't be in Lusaka, Zambia this is an awesome video that will give you an accurate depiction of who GRS is and what they do!
I will do my best to post on this blog at least once a month, with a goal of multiple times a month (depending on internet access)! Check back often to see what GRS and K4L are up to, and my role in helping both. I hope you all enjoy my reading blog as much as I will enjoy my time in Africa! And, of course, if anyone has any suggestions on how to improve my blog please let me know!
-Shane
