Rugby player is Bok from volunteering

A FEMALE rugby player has returned from an expedition to South Africa where she taught disadvantaged children to play sports.

Pamela Gillespie, 22, from Balerno, undertook a six-week voluntary placement in Port Elizabeth for the Umzingisi Foundation - a partner of United Through Sport, which delivers sporting opportunities to more than 15,000 disadvantaged children throughout South Africa.

During the six-week programme Pamela worked as a volunteer rugby coach, visiting a number of schools.

She said the experience was definitely an "eye-opener".

"I saw things I have never seen before and met a range of amazing people from many different backgrounds. I saw poverty and extreme wealth literally right next door to each other, which is something I did not know even existed to such an extent.

"Despite the country's problems, my time in South Africa was definitely worthwhile, for everyone involved. It provided me with a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the opportunity to see everything the Rainbow Nation has to offer."