Hello Everyone! My name is Maddie Siegel, and I am a rising Junior Marketing Major from Indianapolis, Indiana on the Howard University Women's Volleyball team!
Today is May 22, marking the sixth day of our incredible journey through Botswana. Last night, we traveled from Gaborone to Francistown, arriving in the evening. This morning, we enjoyed a delightful breakfast at our new hotel before packing up and checking out. Although our stay was brief, it was thrilling to explore another vibrant city in Botswana.
After checking out, we loaded up the buses and headed to a local secondary school in Francistown, where we conducted a volleyball clinic. A lot of the students were older than the previous groups that we had worked with, so it was really cool getting to work with different age groups than before. We taught different volleyball skills including passing, setting, blocking and hitting.
Our team had a blast connecting with the students and sharing our passion for volleyball. We concluded the clinic with some fun games, mixing our team with the students to play matches like queens and six-on-six. It was an incredible experience to play alongside the students and share our experiences at Howard. We also were able to give the kids gear, volleyballs, and other training items, which they can use to continue developing their skills!
Following the clinic, we drove to Nata Lodge for lunch. The Lodge was beautiful, with an array of interesting items and souvenirs in the gift shop. I enjoyed soaking in the scenery and chatting with my teammates over a delicious meal. After lunch, we got back on the bus for a four-hour drive to our next destination, Kasane. During the drive, we listened to music and marveled at the sight of elephants and cows casually crossing the road. Witnessing these animals in their natural habitat was truly amazing.
Once we arrived in Kasane, we checked in, settled down, and then headed out for a wonderful dinner by a campfire. We tried a variety of adventurous foods and explored the surrounding area before eating.
This trip has been an amazing adventure that is very different from any vacation I've ever experienced. I am very grateful for the chance to meet so many wonderful people and immerse myself in different cultures. I have also loved seeing all of the diverse wildlife and going on safaris!
One of the highlights of this trip has been making new memories with my teammates. Every moment spent with them, whether on road trips, in hotels, or exploring Botswana, has been filled with joy and laughter. I am incredibly thankful for everyone who supported our program and made this journey possible. I am so excited to see what the remaining days of our trip will bring!
