Betsy King leads a group of Golf Fore Africa supporters on a two week trip to Africa. On the trip is fellow LPGA pro Suzanne Strudwick and LPGA T&CP Member Susie Corona. Joining them later in the trip will be LPGA Tour player Stacy Lewis and her mom.
Day One
LPGA pro's Betsy King and Suzanne Strudwick and LPGA teaching professional Susie Corona, are all part of a group of Golf Fore Africa supporters who are spending the next two weeks in Africa. We arrived on Thursday night in Nairobi, Kenya the first stop on a four county tour of Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Lesotho.
Our first day in Kenya we spent the day at Heshima Children's Center a school for special needs children living in Nairobi. The school was founded and run by Tracey Hagman an American who has lived in Kenya for the past nine years. Our group had the opportunity to play with the children, feed the children and accompany them on a field trip to the giraffe refugee park. We also delivered 100 early childhood development toys donated by Hasbro. Golf Fore Africa was happy to make a $5000.00 donation to the Heshima Childrens Center.
Day Two - Susie Corona's Story
Today I had the privilege of teaching 28 of the most incredible junior golfers I have ever taught. It is not because they have perfect golf swings or are proficient with their short games, but because of the great attitudes they have in spite of the many challenges they have faced in their lives. Many of the girls come from very poor homes and some have overcome verbal and/or sexual abuse. Through all of this they have learned the game of golf in it's entirety.
These young girls, ages 8-15, are learning to play golf, some at a competitive level, while learning more important character traits such as dignity, perseverance, integrity, and discipline. They owe all of this to Rose Naliaka the only woman teaching professional in Kenya. Rose is the epitome of excellence that our LPGA Teaching Division needs. She herself has dealt with, and continues to deal with adversities of which no one should have to experience. Yet, her actions are one of class and respect which she demonstrates to and expects of her 28 junior girls. She has taught the girls to believe in themselves, to high have expectations, and to be responsible. It was exhilarating to work with the girls, show them skills to get out of the bunker, and then see the joy on their faces when they accomplished the goal.
This whole day was a magical experience for me. I know I came here to help the girls, but what they gave me today is so much more than I could ever give to them!
