DURHAM, N.C. – Five Duke student-athletes – Lizzie Devitt (swimming & diving), Elizabeth Horne (rowing), Alexander Merriman (fencing), Gurbani Singh (women's golf) and Oliver Spring (men's soccer) – are in South Africa this summer as part of the inaugural class of the Rubenstein-Bing Student-Athlete Civic Engagement (ACE) program. The program provides one-time funding for Duke and Stanford student-athletes to engage in a three-week international service project.

All five Blue Devils provided blogs on their initial experiences in South Africa, which can be read below.

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Learning the Language
June 24, 2016 l Alexander Merriman, Duke Men's Fencing

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to my blog, where I will be sharing my experiences volunteering with ACE with anyone who'd like to hear! I am just about to complete my first of three weeks here in South Africa and so far I am loving my time here. I have been staying at a B&B-type establishment here in Gordon's Bay. The accommodations are very nice; I am living in a suite with the other three guys on my trip and so far the room is still in working condition, not too messy.

During the first night I was surprised to discover was how cold it got at night during the winter here in South Africa, all the way into the mid 30s (which is very cold with minimal heating, even if I am from Buffalo, NY)! I now have about six blankets on my bed in addition to hot water bottles, which I place between the sheets about 15 minutes before going to bed. During the first few days of the program our group of 10 has had a very enjoyable time getting to know each other and have become a cohesive team with the help of MC, a team building strategist brought in to help us learn to work together. The spotty wifi network named "Jenny" has similarly helped us disconnect from the world of social media and actually interact with one another, bonding through movies and card games (I have personally won a few games of hearts, no big deal).

The past several days we have started working with our community partners, GVI, and have visited the elementary/middle school and the students we will be working with during the remainder of our stay. At the school, we gave several presentations to fourth, fifth, and sixth graders about the skills we have learned through varsity athletics, how we apply them broadly to our lives and how they can do the same. During the final week of the program we will be running a track and field camp for the students, so it was important for us to get the students excited to come participate, since it will be during their winter break.

Click here for Merriman's full blog post.

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My First Day at School
June 24, 2016 l Elizabeth Horne, Duke Women's Rowing

After a brief orientation, some team building activities and a little time to shake off the travel and to learn a little about the local community it was time for us to head to ACJ Primary School.

We had been given a quick briefing of what to expect but it wasn't until we were driving through the township that it really hit me. The disparity in wealth was a hard pill to swallow as we watched the quiet streets of clean concrete buildings quickly turn into rows and rows of tin huts and streets packed with bustling people.

Then we pulled up at the school - greeted with a mix of wary stares and offers of high fives we entered the classrooms ready with presentations and a couple of ice breakers to present to four different groups of 6th graders. As it was the end of the term the classes were a little smaller and not quite as structured as normal; despite a little shyness the kids were very enthusiastic and receptive to us.

Click here for Horne's full blog post.

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Watch Me Whip, Watch Me Nae Nae
June 23, 2016 l Gurbani Singh, Duke Women's Golf

Our first week here in South Africa is going great! For the past two days we have been going to an elementary school in a township and teaching kids in grades 6 and 4. Unfortunately we're not allowed to carry our phones to the school or take any pictures with the kids. (GVI policy)

The first thing we do when we enter the classrooms is to play a game with the kids to get them to feel more comfortable around us. The game requires us all to stand in a big circle and go around saying our name, favorite animal and favorite dance move. The most popular dance move among the kids was "The Dab" and "Nae Nae" (Watch me whip/Nae Nae). I was pleasantly surprised to see these young South African kids so up-to-date on American pop culture and the latest trends.

One of the things we were meant to talk to the kids about was the importance of setting goals. So to kick start the discussion we would ask the kids: What do you want to be when you grow up? I was even more surprised and happy to hear a large number of kids saying that they want to be social workers when they're older. It made me feel happy that these 11-year-old kids have aspirations to help their communities and countries. Other popular profession choices were soccer player, doctor, teacher and singer.

Click here for Singh's full blog post.

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in•ef•fa•ble (adj): too great or extreme to be described in words
June 23, 2016 l Oliver Spring, Duke Men's Soccer

Ironically, if our trip so far could be summed up in one word, it would be ineffable. We have only been here in South Africa for four days now and to the Nanzamo township for two, but it is an experience that has met and surpassed my expectations. One instance that has stood out and stayed in the forefront of my mind took place at the ACJ elementary school in the township. It was not from the classroom when we were teaching the children about goals and overcoming obstacles, it happened during the children's lunch break. As a group of friends and I were eating, we realized that there was a handful of kids outside playing soccer, or as they would call it, football. We decided that we only had a small amount of time with the kids, so why spend it alone eating lunch in lieu of being with them. To be around their infectious positivity and energy trumps sitting in a small classroom and eating the sandwich I packed myself earlier that morning. Five of us decided to go outside to the pavement recess area and challenge the kids: us five verses everyone.

Click here for Spring's full blog post.

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A Bright Future
June 23, 2016 l Lizzie Devitt, Duke Women's Swimming & Diving

Today, at the ACJ school at the center of the Nomzamo township, I had a very memorable chat with a 4th grade girl.  Her favorite subject in school was math, she could speak three different languages (Xhosa and English are taught in school and another that her mother spoke), and she wanted to be a minister of a big organization when she grew up.

During the lectures my team and I gave about setting and achieving goals, she first astounded me by her advanced level of fluency in English. Secondly, because of her inspiring curiosity, compassion and perspective on life.  When I asked her how she plans to accomplish her dreams, she said to me simply, "Hard work! That's the only way!"

Click here for Devitt's full blog post.

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For additional information on the ACE Program, visit www.ace.duke.edu.

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