There is one universal language – and that’s soccer! In the
Northern hemisphere this may be known as football, but to me that’s the word
for Rugby League (Tigers to be exact). In almost every country that I have been
to, soccer has been an ideal ice breaker. Not just talking about soccer, or watching
a soccer match – but playing soccer! It’s an invitation to meet people and kick a
ball around and hopefully spark a smile or some laughter.
A couple of years ago I took my sons on a road trip around Africa,
and we took along with us some deflated soccer balls and a pump. We could have
taken clothes, money, book etc – but we didn’t want it to be just a “giving” thing
– we wanted to get to know people and be invited in to spend time with them. The
deflated balls were cheap, easy to pack and they didn’t weigh much or take up too much
room in our luggage.
We started our trip with a drive across the Kalahari Desert.
Our car and family attracted much attention, a 4WD jam packed with luggage,
camping equipment and roof top tents and also two boys with cabin fever
itching to jump out and stretch their legs. As we reached Namibia, our practice of pumping
up balls became second nature. We approached a beautiful little spot near Spitzkoppe with a roadside stand of a family selling
crystals and other souvenirs. After purchasing a handful of colourful crystals
for a bag of mandarins, we started to pump up a soccer ball. A small boy who
had been hiding behind his mother suddenly jumped forward, eager to kick the
ball around with my sons. A few minutes later and the crowd had grown to the
entire village – first watching the boys playing and then joining in or slowly
making their way over to smile, laugh and talk with us. When playtime was
finished, we left the ball for the community to continue their game. My teenage
son told us how proud he felt that afternoon of being able to share such a positive
experience with a stranger.
We did this across many villages in Namibia, Zambia and
Botswana. Locals laughed at my attempts to kick goals. Teenage boys got serious
while the young women tentatively ran around the field after the ball. Mothers
watched and stood by me watching the game as we shared mandarins, apples and
smiles.
When planning trips now, we always make room in the budget
(and luggage) for a bunch of soccer balls.
Soccer Ball and Pump - $100
Sharing the experience - Priceless
