Assembly Guest Speaker: Bert Verkamel
13/2/2008

On Wed 13th February just prior to the start of the long-weekend break, Bert Verkamel of the AFS exchange programme addressed the school about the history, purpose and vision of the AFS Exchange an organization which began some 61 years ago and has continued to grow and spread through some 56 countries world wide. He is keen for the AFS to be re-ignited in South Africa and gave an informative power-point presentation of the exchange and the benefits. Some 12000 pupils go on exchanges each year to such far-flung places as Iceland and China.

To reinforce the benefits, David Shorten (Spain), Ryall Naidoo (France) and Kuan-Yu Chi (France) testified to how much they had gained from their 2 month exchange and how their lives had been enriched and their tolerance and appreciation of other cultures had been expanded and, co-incidentally their French speaking and appreciation of French and Spanish had blossomed unbelievably. It was a very worthwhile presentation and gave the boys, especially those aged between 15 and 17 some genuine food for thought.

Ant Durnford

David Shorten, Ryall Naidoo, Bert Verkamel, Theo Ripplinger and Kuan-Yu Chi