I am so thankful for my time here in Victoria, British Columbia - I know it was the right decision to spend a year in this unique place, where I've learned increased independence and expanded my worldview immensely. Thank you ROTARY INTERNATIONAL and DISTRICT 9350 for choosing me as your cultural ambassador and for your generous scholarship - I've represented South Africa to the best of my ability, connecting not only with Canadians but also with graduate students from various different countries and other South Africans at an International Conference in Toronto.
Canada is best known for their maple syrup, multiculturalism, free health care, hockey, Mounties, bears and not to forget the beaver, but after having an insider perspective Canada to me also represents:
- Friendly and fun people
- Educational opportunities
- Beautiful scenery
- Outdoor activities
- and Unforgettable and inspiring friendships.
Some of the puzzle pieces that help form this amazing experience include attending conferences in Toronto and Vancouver, watching Olympic and Paralympic events in Whistler and Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Games and meeting the South African Paralympic athlete Bruce Warner
and also appearing on the daily news talking about 'Paralympic excitement'
I also had the opportunity to work with some leading edge researchers, teach classes at the University, train National Special Olympic Athletes, travel to 10 different States in America, meet the Senator of Tennessee
learn how to surf, kayak, play slow pitch and basketball and daily watch deer graze in our front yard.
Rotary hopes to promote peace and prosperity throughout the world by building a vast network of communication and by spreading the common value of helping where and however each person and each club can and I hope to continue to stay involved with Rotary for the rest of my life. I hope to encourage students to try for the Ambassadorial Scholarship, and I hope to promote the continued funding of Ambassadorial Scholarships among Rotarians.
This is such a valuable program for acquainting South Africans with new places and new ways of life. It gives me such inspiration, it is such a wonderful challenge, and it feels so good to volunteer that I know that it will always be an integral part of my life. I am hoping to travel a fair amount in my work. Hopefully I will be able to help start Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs in the places where I travel. At the moment, I will do whatever I can to help Rotary and to help future Ambassadorial Scholars.
My years of service have taught me that working for a better world is not always easy. But every time I faced tough challenges or lost my sense of efficacy, my community of like-minded individuals would unfailingly come to the rescue.
It would be a privilege and I look forward to sharing with Rotarians and outside organizations alike the importance and impact of the work of Rotary International.
