Operation Friendship International

NEWSLETTER NO. 44 - November 2001

GS, International Secretary ( IS )

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Dear OF - friends!

We all were shocked about what happened on September 11th and I'm sure we all told our American friends our feelings. But this also shows how important our work is and will be in the future. This newsletter is a little bit late, but I was informed by some countries of sending the information later. Detached to the newsletter you will find an electronic form for the IM in Vorden.

Best wishes Ge

BAVARIA: ( News from Ge Steiner )

A group spent two wonderful weeks in the Ukraine. The programme was perfect and the host families did their best for their Bavarian guests. The group in the USA had a fantastic three weeks exchange. The people in charge showed a lot of flexibility. One group spent a great time in Estonia together with a group from Hungary. It was a well balanced programme and the host families were excellent. The trilateral exchange was a great success. Bavaria also hosted a group from Hungary. The advisor did a marvellous job and the young delegates showed great interest in everything.

CZECH REPUBLIC: - NO NEWS

ENGLAND:( News from AJ)

There is little happening in OF England at present. We are about to get some brochures back from the printers which both Thorner and West Cumbria will use to publicise OF and attempt to recruit new families. Thorner are making great efforts to recruit new members by giving the chapter a higher profile in the village but it is a struggle and their fundraising continues to be successful.. They very much regret that they were unable to travel last summer, which did not help recruitment. They say they are convinced they will be able to host this summer although a smaller group would make life easier for them. Like Thorner, the West Cumbria chapter is held together by a very small group of members, none of whom now have children of hosting age. However, we can find people willing to host, and this might be a way to interest new people. We do not, however, feel able at present to take part in a three week American exchange involving teenagers who would need hosts of their own age. We would like to host a small group of over 18 year olds from any country who would like to send delegates. We know that Hungary, for example, were looking for more exchanges. We would try to find hosts with similar interests, though they might not be of similar age. We send our best wishes to all our friends in OF.

ESTONIA ( News from LK )

We had two exchange programs this summer. First we traveled to the Netherlands, where we had a great time and a versatile program. We are grateful for the flexibility of our hosts. Then we hosted two groups at a time: one from Germany and one from Hungary. As this was our first tri-lateral program, the organizing was challenging. The three groups communicated very well with each other and we are glad to travel to Hungary and Germany next year. Our contact person and chairman remain the same, also the contact information

HUNGARY: ( News from MD)

OF Hungary sent a group of 10+1 to Bavaria this summer and all the participants were very happy with the exchange and they really enjoyed every moment of it. We also sent a group of 10+1 to Estonia and had a great time there. Our hosts organized a superb programme for us. We were in Estonia with the Bavarian group and we think that the kids from the three countries became a real group of friends during the 2 weeks. We also hosted a group of 7+2 from The Netherlands. On the part of the Hungarians we had problems with some hosts, with organizing and also with the language, but we have learnt a lot from this exchange. The Dutch kids and their advisors were very nice and we hope to continue exchanges with the Netherlands. Regarding fund raising: we try to use the available grants, such as the EU's Youth Programme Recruiting: we made tableaux and a video film about the exchanges and we publicize them through the local media. we write articles about the exchanges and also send them to the local press. We are very young and want to familiarize people with our activities, call their attention to our programmes. We do the recruiting in our schools, as OF Hungary was re-organized on the base of 5 secondary schools of Nógrád county.

IRELAND: NO NEWS

SCOTLAND: ( News from DM )

Greetings to everyone from OF Scotland. First let me send our heartfelt thoughts to all our friends in USA, after the tragic events of Sept 11th it means more to us to retain all our wonderful friendships we have made at this sad time. OF Scotland is doing very well, we now look to the future with confidence and are hoping the re-vitalising of the Edinburgh Chapter will go ahead for the next years hosting. Our summer exchange groups had a wonderful time in the USA , both the Glenrothes chapter and the Lockerbie chapter forged new friendships and connections that will hopefully maintain the growth of OF America and we can look forward next summer to a similar hosting programme, it was indeed a very sucessful trip. Some of our older delegates have now gone off to University, but are still around OF, one of our Twins A is now studying at St Andrew's University and is trying very hard to enrol a new delegate to OF Scotland, Of course we don't know how successful she is going to be Maybe she will have to invite him along to our fund raising events!! of course were talking of PW. He is in the same Geography class as A, now wouldn't that be a first, a Royal Delegate!! This year in Glenrothes we are compiling a Year Book that gives all the information on the travelling delgates and host families, we hope that it will act as a historical archives in future years and we hope to be able to present this at the International meeting in April in Vorden. Our Founder member Dr. WS completed his sponsored Walk of the great Wall of China in September, he raised an outstanding amount of £5,400 for Autistic Children, Well Done Wally!! Our AGM was held on October 28th and we re-elected the same committee as last year, it has been a very successful and hardworking committee that hopefully will take us into a new year with an expansion plan albiet small but with the right aims in mind. Scottish Exec. Committee. DM - Chairman - Vice chair MW - Treasurer SQ - Secretary EW - Membership Secretary BC - Lockerbie Representative MW - Glenrothes Representative

SWEDEN: ( News from Stefan Linderas )

Sweden had one activity going on this summer. We sent a group of 12 + 1 to Ware, Massachusetts. Our travellers had a very good time and took part in a well organized program. For next summer we are looking forward to host a group from America, as far as we can see we have enough hosts already. If Scotland will organize Highland Venture next summer we are interested in trying to send a small group.

THE NETHERLANDS: ( News by HB )

Exchange summer 2001 OFN had an exchange with three other countries. The exchange with the Ukraïne could not take place because of the difficulties with the visum. Two groups travelled to the USA: one to Sturbridge and one to Rochdale. 10 youngsters and an advisor from Vorden travelled to Sturbridge. They all had a wonderful time there, although the hosting was arranged by only a few families. But they did a great job. The advisor was very stisfied in his evaluation. 10 youngsters from Soest/Baarn and their advisor travelled to Rochdale. The programm was very good and they all can look back to that great time as an OF-member. From Estonia a group of 10 youngsters and an advisor came over to Eibergen. They arrived one day earlier by bus than expected. But the local board was ready to host them. As normal they biked a lot and took notes of the typical Dutch culture and traditions. We think they had a good time. For the first time there was an exchange with Hungary. 7 youngsters from Doetinchem and two advisors travlled by bus to Paszto. In Hungary Maria and her colleges made a very interesting programm. The Dutch now know a lot more about the Hungarian way of living. In some cases the language was a little difficult to communicate. After two weeks we travelled back with a lot of impressions and good memories. The International Meeting 3-7 april 2002 in Vorden. As the board of OFN we are very busy with preparing the International Meeting. Again we will invite you to come to Holland and to meet us. We hope that the international problems in the world will not be a problem for all of us to travel free at that time.

UKRAINE: ( News from Victor Mursin ) I was told that Viktor sent an email to me but I still haven't got it.

USA: ( News from LH ) OFA recently held the annual meeting which resulted in officer changes. BJ decided not to run for another term on the OFA Board of Directors. Her hard work will be missed by all. The new officers are: LH Chair; CH Vice-Chair; JK Vice-Chair; DR Secretary; CW Treasurer; KB Clerk; Delegates to the International Meeting in Vorden LH, CW, CH. (KB Alternate Delegate) Fundraising Ideas: Holiday Greenery and Plant Sales, Pumpkin Sales, Mystery Dinners, Dances, Working Concession Stands for Sporting Events--Basketball, Football, Baseball, Silent Auctions Recruiting Families The best recruiting of new families for OFA is the youth discussing the hosting/traveling experiences. Some chapters gather in small groups in homes, schools, or churches. Other write articles for the news media.

WALES: ( News NC)

During the summer 7 youths and a leader visited New Jersey in the USA and had a wonderful time. Wales OF extend its deepest sympathy to all our friends in the States following the horrific tragedy on September 11th. Wales OF National Annual Meeting was held on November 11th. It was agreed to accept the paper on Child Protection prepared by O.F. Ireland. The following were elected Officials: Chair: RW (Cardiff); Vice-Chair: HP (Anglesey); Treasurer: GD (Cardiff); Secretary: NC (Cardiff). Warmest appreciation was extended to GP for all his work as Secretary for so many years. GP is still Secretary of the Anglesey Chapter. We hope to have a wide representation from Wales at the International Conference in the Netherlands next Easter. At present there are no items to be included on the Agenda from Wales.

Secretary: Nans Couch 2, Crystal Glen Y Mynydd Bychan Caerdydd CF14 5QH Tel. 029 2075 3625

Ebost: [email protected]