Coming at you live from Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. This first month has absolutely flown by, it feels like just yesterday I was getting on a plane in Halifax excited for what was in store and here I am a month later, I am even more excited to see what each day will bring.
My first few weeks on the island involved getting settled into life and getting ready for the next few months. Although completely different than Canada, the transition from Canadian life to Island life was made incredibly easy through the help of the wonderful members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Rugby Football Union (TCIRFU) who made me feel welcome and at home immediately. A special shout out to Franco for answering my millions of questions and showing me around the island! Your help and patience was greatly appreciated!
Afterschool program at Enid Capron Primary School
Outside the school sessions, we also have our Saturday Youth Rugby League up and running, where kids are able to come out to the Meridian Field and build on the rugby skills that they already have or gain some new skills. It’s so incredible to see the improvements from the kids even in the short time that I’ve been here!
One of the goals that we have here whilst on the island is to grow the sport of Rugby. To begin our journey in doing just that, we contacted schools from all over Provo to get some rugby sessions into the schools. Thanks to the incredible work of TCIRFU and all the interns that came before us, the schools were thrilled at the possibility of having some sessions and the kids are just as enthusiastic about learning something new.
After the first rugby session with B.E.S.T Institue at the Meridian Field
While on the island, I reached out to a friend and former #QEScholar, asking for some advice that he could give me about the experience I was about to face, to which he told me “Take advantage of every opportunity, become the person that you always wanted to be, and give your entire heart to the kids.” So far, that’s not something that I have to try and do as the island and the incredible people here are already bringing that out of me.
Until next time,
Annik