The Rotary Club of Bellingen is presently directly involved with two exchange students.  Bellingen High student, Reyna Sommerville, is sponsored by the Bellingen Rotary Club while she is on exchange to France, and the club is also hosting Thai student, Punyawan Chuchuai (Poi) for her 12 month exchange in Australia.  Both girls have recently changed families so that they have the opportunity to experience a variety of homes within their host country.

Poi began her stay with the Sommerville family at Gleniffer and then moved to the Gray family on Waterfall Way.  During her time with the Gray’s, Poi travelled regularly, visiting many places between Sydney and Brisbane and thoroughly enjoying her experiences.  After attending the Rotary District 9650 Conference at Narrabri, Poi was guest of honour at a BBQ where she was introduced to Marg and John Hope, her third set of host ‘parents’.  Recently Poi moved to this third host family and she is looking forward establishing another great relationship.  Each host family has really enjoyed the experience of Poi’s stay in their family and Poi has developed close relationships with family members.

Relationships that develop during the Rotary Exchange Program (YEP) are often life long.  Exchange students who have been hosted in Bellingen in past years frequently revisit their former host families as close friendships often grow during an exchange.  The Rotary Club of Bellingen is looking for families interested in hosting an exchange student in 2010.  Interested families should ring 66 550217.