Many of us would like to know the secret to finding world peace. The Friendship Force of Honolulu (FFH) is part of an International organization that promotes world peace through Cultural Exchanges with the idea that knowing people individually promotes friendship, not enemies. Jo Ann Fakler of Makakilo is the club president and has been with the Friendship Force of Honolulu for 11 of the club’s 17 year history. The club’s members host visiting club’s members in their home in a 5-7 day exchange. This is a great way for them to learn what we are really like in America and on O’ahu. Members come from all areas of the island, from Makaha, Ka’a’awa, Kailua, to Honolulu and in between.
Activities are set up for both clubs’ participation and hosts can plan some on their own. The Honolulu club has hosted clubs from Hungary, Germany, England, Russia, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Language has not been a problem, even when communication verbally is not possible. The Japanese who visited the club were mainly people who had visited Waikiki a number of times, but never ventured out on their own. After a week’s home stay, they learned that we are friendly people and they felt comfortable riding The Bus and going out on their own. They fell in love with our Hawai’i.
The FFH has visited Sweden, England, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The members stay in the homes and participate in all family activities. People are different, but so very much alike. The Swedish treated us to their midsummer’s eve festival and the Japanese were such gracious hosts, as they all have been.
For people who cannot travel, being a home host is a great way to have a cultural exchange and a wonderful way for children to meet someone from another culture. For people who like to travel, being hosted in a home is an excellent way to get a true picture of the culture and the people.
People who cannot home host are also involved with the cultural exchanges by being day hosts and taking guests to activities, hosting a dinner in their home, and just attending club functions and socializing with the visitors.
Friendship Force of Honolulu will be home hosting Calgary, Canada, in March, and will be traveling to Brazil in October. They have a planning meeting Jan 6. If you’d like to come to the meeting or become part of this group, call Jo Ann at 672-0380 for more information.
