Host Families Needed August 22- 27, 2014
Again this year, delegates from the Michigan-Shiga Sister State Goodwill Mission exchange will be visiting St. Johns. Since 1968, the State of Michigan has enjoyed a sister state relationship with Shiga Prefecture in Japan. The purpose of this relationship is to unite the people of the two states in everlasting bonds of friendship and promote understanding of the people of the world. In addition to the sister state relationship, 18 cities in Michigan have sister city or friendship city relationships with cities in Shiga Prefecture.
One of the key components of the sister state and sister city relationships are annual goodwill missions between the two states, which offer opportunities for Michigan and Shiga residents to deepen friendships and cultural understanding between our sister states. These goodwill missions are truly unique experiences and have resulted in many lifelong friendships between past participants from Michigan and Shiga.
A delegate from St. Johns’ Sister City of Konan will be coming on this year’s Goodwill Mission; Michigan delegates visit Shiga on the odd-numbered years. A major part of the goodwill mission exchange is the home stay, which offers opportunities for Michigan and Shiga residents to deepen friendships and cultural understanding between our sister states.
The Michigan-Shiga Sister State Board is seeking families to host delegates for five days this summer. If you enjoy getting to know people from other cultures and sharing our wonderful community with them, this may be a great opportunity for you. Delegates will arrive in Lansing on August 21st and then spend August 22-27 with their host families.
“Hosting a guest from Japan was an extraordinary and enlightening experience, finding out more about each others culture and customs and developing a friendship that spans across the globe,” recalls Ketrina Ruff of St. Johns describing her family’s experience hosting Japanese guests as part of the Goodwill Mission.
“All Michigan citizens are welcome to host. Young or old, urban or rural, family or individual, you can help to provide our guests from Shiga with a unique American experience” notes Kate Simon, President of the Michigan-Shiga Sister State Board and Director of the Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU). Simon encourages interested individuals to “take this opportunity to share your town, lifestyle, and the beautiful State of Michigan with our friends in Japan.”
Please visit mishiga.org/volunteer/host or contact Jenny McCampbell at 224-6134 or maccampbellsj@gmail.com if this is an opportunity you would enjoy or if you would like more information.