Friendship Force is international network for travel, friendship
Laughter and chatter filled the Lantern Tap House last week as dozens of members of Friendship Force International gathered for their monthly Let’s Eat Out meeting.
Members swapped stories, shared photos and eagerly talked about upcoming trips.
Founded in 1977 by Wayne Smith, and introduced to the world by Jimmy Carter during a White House ceremony, Friendship Force International now boasts 377 chapters in 60 countries.
“It’s a means of promoting peace through social interchange,” said Valerie Harper-Murdoch, president of the local club. “I love to travel, but this goes beyond that. This is a cultural immersion experience. We stay in our host’s homes, and they stay in ours.”
The Eastern Washington/North Idaho club formed in 1980 and has more than 60 members. Every year they plan an outbound trip and an inbound trip. In addition, members are free to travel with any chapter around the world.
“Visitors from one club are hosted by members of another club using home stays, with the idea that true understanding can develop by seeing a different area through its native inhabitants’ eyes,” said club secretary Peter Guthrie. “Strangers become friends and thereby change the way we see the world and one another.”
From Russia to Japan to New Zealand, this group has explored the globe. Tom Zdrojkowski recently returned from Brazil. He arrived at the meeting clothed in an outfit his Brazilian host had purchased for him. “This is a great way to experience other cultures firsthand,” he said.
Before embarking on a trip, the club provides workshops to learn the history and customs of the country they plan to visit.
Past president Ann Lungo vividly recalls her first Friendship Force exchange. “We went to Quebec and I was scared to death,” she said. “I thought everyone would speak French, but they didn’t and I had a wonderful time.”
Her favorite trip was when the group went to Japan. “I never in my life thought I’d go to any of the Asian countries,” she said. “The people in Japan were so wonderful, and the food was incredible.”
Members are called ambassadors and promote friendship and goodwill both at home and abroad. Volunteer leaders (exchange directors) plan the itinerary and arrange homes and transportation. Friendship Force members travel both domestically and overseas.
The local club recently hosted a group from Indonesia. Depending on the time of year, visitors are treated to visits to area lakes, parks, museums or a symphony performance – one group even got to experience the city’s annual Armed Forces Torchlight Parade.
Harper-Murdoch said globally, 80 to 90 percent of participants are older than 50, but membership is open to anyone. She said members “should be flexible, love travel, be friendly and like to have fun.”
She smiled. “There’s no better way to connect with people than by having fun.”