Jeanelle Guideau, of Saverne, France, has been visiting the Morrisey family, of Ladner, in recent weeks as part of a Rotary, short-term youth exchange. Rotary youth exchanges are organized by Rotary clubs which send and host students ages 15 to 19 for travel abroad for cultural exchanges, short term up to two months or long term up to most of a full year. Learning and lifelong friendships develop among the exchange students.
While here, Jeanelle has toured with Patrick Morrisey and family, including daughter Claire, parts of BC and attended events. Now Jeanelle and Claire are about to depart for the second half of the exchange, with Claire visiting the Guideau family in Saverne for a few weeks. Patrick, Claire and Jeanelle spoke to Ladner Rotary members about this part of the exchange.
Photo shows a house in the centre of Saverne, France, built in 1605; from the Office De Tourisme et Du Commerce Du Pays De Saverne
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After a few weeks here, Jeanelle is departing this week with exchange partner Claire for her home in Saverne, east of Paris near Strasbourg and the German border | The Grand-Rue in Saverne, France, photo by © Ralph Hammann - Wikimedia Commons | A canal in the Saverne community |
Ladner Rotary has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with youth exchange programs over the years, as the club’s longest serving member, Dr. Arthur Birk, summarized.
In 1978 Ladner Rotary hosted its first full year youth exchange student Yara Ferreira from Brazil. Yara eventually be became a businesswoman in ladies shoes. Our first full outbound student was Ron Stewart who went to Australia.
1979 to 1980 Yuki Kyaba, from Japan, was with us for up to seven months. It was an excellent relationship. She later married and became Yuki Suzuki. This exchange led to Arthur’s and Geraldine’s daughter, Suzanne, going through Ladner Rotary on a short term exchange to Valleyfield, Quebec.
Years later, in 2016 to 2017, Suzanne, with great appreciation for the value of the exchange program, sent her daughter Caroline on a summer Rotary youth exchange to and from Lyon France with exchange partner from Lyon, Elise. Later that year Suzanne and family also hosted Constantine from the Lyon area, for up to nine months.
In 1987 to 1988 there was Klaas Mearsma on long term exchange from the Netherlands. Klaas travelled to many parts of Canada as well when he was here.
In 1995 to 1996 one of the most distant visitors was Shaina from Bombay, India. That same year we also hosted Genevieve Gos from Belgium and Rubia Nisgooki from Brazil.
Ladner Rotary has two sister Rotary clubs. One is Mount Manganui, New Zealand. Together, the two clubs have funded major projects such as one in Tanzania many years ago. This relationship led to several friendship exchanges through the years for adults as well as for youth.
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Patrick Morrisey gives highlights of Jeanelle's exchange visit to this community and region | Claire Morrisey also comments on the touring, which, she says, opened her eyes to the beauty of her home province |
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Jeanelle presents a gift to Arthur Birk for his support of the exchange | Brian Smith (left) presented a thank you card to the visitors indicating a donation to Rotary's global campaign to End Polio will be made in their names |