Amanzimtoti Lions Club invites local youth to take an opportunity to change their life forever. The Lions have resurrected the Youth Camp and Exchange Programme (YCE) and this just may be the opportunity local youngsters are seeking. “As a YCE participant, expect to be immersed in an unique cultural experience with Lions club members supporting your learning,” said Lions 410C district governor, Ken Toward.
Sharon Ngcobo of Umkomaas was the first recipient to experience another way of life when Amanzimtoti Lions decided to resurrect the Youth Camp and Exchange (YCE) Programme last year. She was shortlisted for an interview to see if she fulfilled the requirements when the Lions sent out a plea for suitable candidates.
Sharon lived with a Mexican exchange student and her host family in Meer Hoogstraten, Belgium, which is close to the Holland border, from 6 to 21 July. From 22 July to 1 August she moved to a second host family and participated in a youth camp with other exchange students from 35 different nationalities at the Eyserhof in the hills of southern Holland.
Lions district governor Ken Toward, who was instrumental in resurrecting the programme, said the experience has led to a phenomenal change in Sharon. “When I first met Sharon a year ago, we could see she had the charisma for the programme but she didn’t have the confidence in herself. The knock-on effect of her participating in the YCE is it has built her outlook on life, which has boosted her confidence. Being in a multi-cultural environment has done that. Sharon is now employed, earning a salary and will qualify with an electrical trade.”
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This year the selected participant will have almost every country in the world to choose from. To be considered for this year’s selection or to find out more about the programme, call Ken on 083-460-9226.
READ MORE ABOUT SHARON’S EXPERIENCE AND INSIGHTS GAINED FROM HER INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME ADVENTURE IN TODAY’S SOUTH COAST SUN
