Podium Announcement
From AFSWiki
I’m (name), (volunteer/host family/hosted student) with AFS-USA, and a resident of (community).
I’d like to thank (whoever allowed you to speak at this service. For example, Father Smith, Pastor Smith, Rabbi Smith).
I am here today to talk with you about something you can do to contribute to peace in the world.
AFS, formerly known as the American Field Service, is a non-profit that has been exchanging high school students for 60 years. We believe that a more just and peaceful world begins when people from different countries and cultures meet, learn together, and better understand one another.
This fall, AFS will be welcoming 2,800 students to the U.S. to live with American families and attend American high schools. Most students are here for the whole school year, and while a year may seem like a long time, it goes by very fast. Before you know it, they’re on the plane going back home and you have an extended family member!
Let me tell you about my experience. (Put a personal story or experience here about hosting. Keep it short and succinct. Hearing a personal story will hit home with the listeners.)
You don’t have to have children that are in high school to host an exchange student—people with younger children, people whose children are grown, people with no children, and single people are all eligible to host. Host families provide a bed and meals, and the same guidance they would give their own children. The student is not a guest—they become part of your family.
You can do something to contribute to a better world for our children without even leaving home.
Thank you for listening. If you are interested being a host family for an AFS Exchange Student, please see me at the back of the church after service. I’ll be happy to answer your questions.
Bring the World to Your Family—Without Leaving Home!
This August more than 2,700 high school exchange students from around the world will arrive. Would you share your home with one of these students for the school year or a semester?
AFS Intercultural Programs/USA has led student exchanges for more than 57 years. We know family life makes all the difference for a young visitor. When you open your home and heart to a child from another country—even temporarily—you introduce the world to your children and family and give your AFS student the opportunity to take back a piece of America.
Six families in our Lord of Life Church are currently hosting. Just ask Joe and Trish B------, Cindy and Bill K------, Ken and Louise L-------, Jan and Ross T-----, Mary and Bruce V---- or Mary Ann and Mark H------ what it's like to share your life with an exchange student.
Please let Mary Ann H----- know if you’re able to host an AFS Exchange Student or call her at 897------ (home) or 554------ (cell). Thank you for helping us welcome outstanding exchange students with caring American families like yours!
