ABILENE, Texas — The Abilene Christian Wildcats women’s basketball team made it back just in time for Welcome Week after a two-week international trip to Greece and Rwanda.
The trip fulfilled several needs for the Wildcats, including basketball, team bonding and sightseeing. But according to players Meredith Mayes and Molly Daugherty and head coach Julie Goodenough, service was the most important part.
“It started out as a trip to Greece, and then we tacked on Rwanda,” Goodenough said. “So for probably about 18 months, we were working on just putting all that together.”
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Abilene Christian Women’s Basketball team. (ACU Women’s Basketball)
Daugherty said interacting with children and members of the community in Rwanda was a memorable experience.
“We were outside of the children’s school and talking to all of the community, and just kids and people are so grateful for us to be there,” Daugherty said. “ And it’s just like a blessing.”
Mayes also reflected on the culture and the people the team met during the trip.
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Abilene Christian Women’s Basketball hosting a clinic at Rwanda Children. (ACU Women’s Basketball)
“And they just love so well, and they have such a beautiful culture,” Mayes said. “I’ve never experienced that before. And so I just can’t express it. It was just amazing.”
The trip was originally centered around basketball, but thanks to ACU alumnus Serge Gasore, the Wildcats were able to give back to a community that some of the players believed they never would have experienced.
“And it’s just like you have a better appreciation for your life and where you’re at,” Daugherty said. “And I think that our team saw that, and they saw how much joy that everyone carries there.”
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Abilene Christian Women’s Basketball hosting a clinic at Rwanda Children. (ACU Women’s Basketball)
“Whether it was walking around with Serge or other adults or just interacting with kids, they’re just some of the most generous, welcoming people I’ve ever met,” Mayes said.
The team started its trip in Athens, where the Wildcats played two semi-professional teams, explored the city and even celebrated teammate Erin Woodson’s birthday.
“It was so fun to celebrate her,” Mayes said. “And she loves Greece. She’s always wanted to go. And so it was such a perfect birthday.”
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Abilene Christian Women’s Basketball on a bike tour through Athens, Greece. (ACU Women’s Basketball)
Goodenough said the trip also gave the four newcomers joining a team with 10 returning players a chance to bond with their new teammates.
“What a great opportunity for them to work out with all of our returners this summer and then actually play two games with them,” Goodenough said.
The Wildcats also got a chance to put on a basketball clinic for children in Rwanda.
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Abilene Christian playing a semi-professional team in Athens, Greece. (ACU Women’s Basketball)
“And I think that we held a really good camp there, and I think the campers enjoyed it,” Goodenough said.
Mayes said the enthusiasm from the children at the camp stood out.
“Whenever we host camps, it is, of course, fun, but parents will put their kids in whether or not they want to,” Mayes said. “We love the kids, but in Rwanda, they just want to be there, and they love it, and they’re happy to do it.”
