Lethbridge’s Friendship Force chapter sparks the power of connection
Global News
Australian members of the worldwide Friendship Force joined the Lethbridge chapter to visit Waterton National Park in an effort to turns strangers into friends.
Australian members of the worldwide Friendship Force joined the Lethbridge chapter to visit Waterton National Park in an effort to turns strangers into friends.
The global group has more than 300 chapters spanning 60 countries all with the intention of fostering new friendships. What makes the Lethbridge chapter unique is that its members stay in each other’s homes, explains Lethbridge Friendship Force president Barbra Clarke.
“It was originally to help make peace around the world. The idea was that we make friends, because you don’t want to have an enemy, you want a friend,” Clarke explained. “So, it started that if you are in the home of someone else and have your feet under their table morning and evening, you learn about their culture and you become friends.”
The group that would like to visit a different country puts in a request to the Atlanta, GA. head office that then connects the visiting group with the country hosts and lets them take it from there.
The match process is based on interests. For example, the Australian groups are known for having a lot of academic professionals, so they were paired with other teachers and professors in Canada.
Then the host group gets to know the visitors and develops an itinerary based on the interests and limitations of the visitors. The Lethbridge chapter is determined to show its visitors a wonderful time.
“We’ll show them all of the touristy stuff, including First Nations and Blackfoot visits with the Buffalo runs, but we will also do things that they are interested in. Most groups that visit Lethbridge want to see our area and especially the Rocky Mountains,” Clarke said.
“But we will also plan parties and lots of food, because we all like to eat, and that’s how we make friends. Laughs, food and fun.”
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