Hey everyone! I'm Rya McKinnon, a rising junior computer science major from Hoover, Alabama, and a member of Howard's women's Volleyball team. Today marks day 7 of our incredible foreign tour in Africa, and I'm thrilled to share the highlights of another unforgettable day.
Our morning began with a visit to Plateau Primary School in Kasane, where we conducted a volleyball clinic. The day kicked off with a tour of the school, which gave us a glimpse into the daily lives of the local students. It was heartwarming to see their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. After the tour, we jumped right into the clinic, teaching fundamental volleyball skills to a group of energetic and talented kids. Their smiles and laughter were infectious, and it was incredibly fulfilling to share my passion for the game and mentor the younger generation.
Moments like these remind me of the importance of giving back and inspiring others, especially through sports. Next up on the itinerary we went to the mall and did a little shopping. Shopping is one of my favorite things to do and Botswana has so many cute shops, which makes it impossible to resist picking up a few things. My teammates often joke about how I should avoid malls, or I'll end up buying more than I need! This time was no exception; I found several unique items that I couldn't wait to bring home as souvenirs. Shopping in a new country is always an adventure, and Botswana's vibrant market scene did not disappoint. I always find something to buy every time we stop somewhere. After the mall, we stopped at Nando's for a quick lunch before we headed to the safari. Fun fact: My first time trying Nando's was in Africa!
Following lunch, it was time for the part of the day that I was looking forward to the most. The Chobe National Park river safari. This would be our first and only river safari on this trip. We rode on a two-story boat. I sat on the second story which had a really great view. We were able to see antelope, hippos, Buffalo, crocodiles, and elephants. The tour was about 3 hours and we got to see the sunset and the moon rise. We took a ton of pictures along the ride. I took so many pictures that I ended up running out of storage, but every shot was worth it to capture the beauty of this moment. It was such a beautiful scenery seeing all the wildlife in their natural habitats. We were also informed that Botswana is the #1 country in the world that has the best protection of wildlife.
This trip has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the warm welcome at the schools to the thrill of the safari, every moment has been a treasure. I am incredibly grateful for the new friendships, unforgettable memories with my team, and the chance to witness wildlife that I would never see back home. This journey is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I owe a huge thanks to everyone who donated and contributed to making it possible. Your support has allowed us to learn, grow, and create lasting bonds that will stay with us forever. I'm excited to see what the next few days have in store. There's so much more to explore and experience, and I'm excited to continue this incredible adventure. Thank you for following along on our journey, and stay tuned for more updates from our African tour!
