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NEWS RELEASE August 8, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Tait Anberg (404) 421-0818 Atlanta Area Youth Return From Paris Village
ATLANTA – In July, an adult leader went with four Atlanta area 11-year olds to Paris, France; a 16-year old Junior Counselor went to Massachusetts; and an adult Staff member went to Maine; all for a Children’s International Summer Village (CISV). All three of these four-week international camps were attended by delegations from twelve countries sending one adult leader and four 11-year olds each. About sixty villages are held annually in various locations both domestically and internationally. Atlanta Area founder and President Tait Anberg says the local summer program participants want to, “continue CISV’s mission to promote peace through understanding.” Anberg founded the local Atlanta Area chapter on June 6, 2004. “I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of CISV, and in my youth I had many positive, life-changing experiences because of it. I’ve lived in the Decatur for 10 years and it became important to me as a father and as an educator to start a chapter here in the Metro area,” he adds. On Friday, July 29, 2006, the Atlanta area summer program participants returned from Paris with stories and experiences; life-enriching cultural education and outreach. The four youth that traveled to Paris this summer included Emily Clay of Atlanta, Michael Oden of Snellville, Kelcie Sellers of Lilburn, and Nick Watson of Stone Mountain. Tim Banning of Lawrenceville was a Junior Counselor at a Village in Massachusetts, and his father, Garry Banning was an adult Staff member at a Village in Maine. Lakwanza Williams of Atlanta, the adult leader of the Paris delegation adds, “This was an opportunity for some of our youth to share and learn from others from around the world. Young people coming together and finding common ground with differences in cultures, languages, traditions and values we all hold dear.”
Why eleven year olds? Williams explains, “These children have the maturity to be away from home and understand the purpose of the village. They represent their culture and are young enough to accept their differences with no or little prejudice. They communicate easily, even without a common language, and are eager to make friends.” Although English is the official language of CISV programs, all international programs and activities incorporate many languages and cultures. Emphasis is on activities which encourage creative expression and close relationships among the children. Day by day, the children come to realize that the differences between them are less important than the similarities that bind them together. In a natural way, they learn the deeper significance of making international friendships. Anberg adds, “we can learn so much, at any age, through learning about, respecting and celebrating our differences.”
The Atlanta Area Village will host a Welcome Back Party for all summer program participants on Sunday, August 28, 2005, at 4:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please email Tait Anberg, President and Founder of CISV Atlanta Area, at atlanta@cisvusa.org. More information about the organization is located online at http://www.atlanta.cisvusa.org.
CHILDREN’S INTERNATIONAL SUMMER VILLAGES, INC. Atlanta Area Steering Committee, Post Office Box 145, Scottdale, Georgia 30079 Atlanta@Cisvusa.Org Www.Atlanta.Cisvusa.Org An independent, non-profit, volunteer organization promoting cross-cultural friendship and peace education
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