Almancil Rotary Club’s (AIRC) first woman President Uschi Kuhn started her official duties last Sunday at Faro Airport when she sent off Bruna Honrado, the first of the seven students being sent on exchange visits this summer.
Each year AIRC chooses to fund six or seven deserving young people to attend a week-long exchange in various European countries. The exchange is intended to promote friendship amongst different nationalities and to give the students an experience they would not normally be able to afford. 
The students spend a few days with host families before attending a summer camp where they meet other students from many nationalities. Bruna chose to go to Italy, whilst two will be going to Berlin, one to Belgium and two to Manchester. The only stipulation AIRC insists upon is that the students attend a meeting of the club later in the year to report on their exchange.
In the past, students have presented an entertaining account of their travels and in each case have told the Rotary members that the experience changed their lives.
In addition to the students that AIRC supports financially, this year, the club has arranged trips for six further self-funding students who will be going to other European countries.
“This scheme, organised primarily by club members Raymond Parfait and Patricia Doling, has proved one of the most worthwhile projects we have supported” said Uschi. “Without exception, the experiences of the students have literally changed their lives. Many of them invite the people they have met on their exchange to visit them in Portugal and have become great friends. It’s a wonderful way for young people to get to know other young people and cultures and we hope to continue the scheme next summer”.
For further information about the Youth Exchange Scheme or AIRC, contact peter@rotaryalmancil.org
