Written by Valts Rozentāls
Of course we wanted to finish strong and packed a morning practice on the last day before departure. This would turn out also the last training – everybody together. We could see that the week was taking a toll on the kids and the energy was getting low. Still they pulled through for the last practice and we could finish the week strong.
Afterwards we had planned some time to chill out for everyone just to be together, have some fun and look back to the week.
After lunch we would be heading to Kresztur to play against the boys and girls teams of “Medvek” (Bears). We would complete one game for boys and one for the girls. Both would end in our favor, BUT the “Medvek” club is just a couple of years old and we could see they already have a good foundation to build upon. It was a great experience altogether and good exhibition matches. It was nice to see that also the supporters of “Medvek” came and cheered upon their team. We ended up front this time, we are sure this would become a more balanced game for years to come as the coaching staff is very motivated to excel and move forward. Basketball is a tight knit community wherever you go, so we are cheering for the “Medvek Club” to become a great one and lift the game of basketball all around them.
Once we arrived at the pension again, Irenke and her staff were busy and prepared a dinner for us to eat outside. Her famous stew for the main and traditional Hungarian pastries for the dessert. Everyones enjoying the food, having a good time together and you can already feel the air and emotions that are inevitably narrowing down to the last hours in Bögöz.
After dinner, we met up at the basketball court for the last time. This time not to play games or perform a shoot out, but to sit down, say the last words and our goodbyes. This turns out to be a small feedback round after some short speeches from the orga team. Afterwards it’s time for the youth to say their goodbyes and once again – not without shedding some tears. They really find and build friendships through the week. It’s always a beautiful moment to see the sudden realization in their faces and expressions – that’s it. Week is over. Experience and feelings will live in our memories, but now, in this moment – time is up. We say our goodbyes. And just like that, another week of our Romanian adventure, full of emotions and friendships, comes to an end. This was a nice dream, but now it’s time to go to sleep.
We want to cherish the moment and postpone the sleep. Traditionally, it’s time for night basketball and sleeping outside. Unfortunately, sleeping outside would be dismissed by the rain. We let the kids “party on”. They can stay up and let their emotions and experiences come out. Only thing that awaits us tomorrow is food, packing, some more food and making our way back home. First by bus to the airport, then the flight itself. This has been a long week – tiresome, yes, but full of experiences, emotions, friendships and memories.
We see the impact of this project on the local community. We can see the impact on the kids visiting. Step by step, day by day – we are changing the world. No, not the World you might have in mind, but it is the world of someone. A human being. Inner world. Full of perspective, belonging, future. One step and one world at a time.
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