Meylin-Tan

Meylin Tan

We would like to introduce you to Meylin. We came to know Meylin through the Lions Youth Exchange program. Lorrie and I are both members of the Wardensville Lions Club in Wardensville, WV. While attending our District Fall Conference in October 2012 we heard a presentation on the Youth Exchange Program. At the end of the presentation I approached the presenter and inquired about how the program works and what is involved in being considered as a host family. Before the end of the conference Lorrie and I decided we wanted to participate in the program. The wheels were turning...

We got home and sent a letter, via email, to Meylin and her family. We explained who we are and where we live and that our children are full grown and not living at home anymore. We told her that Lorrie's 95 year old father, a dog and a cat lived with us in a very rural area of West Virginia and that if she was looking for something different we would understand. She wrote back and was very happy we were willing to host her.

Meylin arrived at Dulles International Airport on January 17, 2013 and stayed with us through February 26, 2013. She lives in Lima, Peru and thus she left summer behind to experience the frigid north in WV.

When Meylin arrived at the airport I told her that she is now one of our

family and that we would treat her like a member of the family. When we arrived at our home, I told her this is her home and that she should do here as she would do at her own home.

We witnessed some of her first time life exeriences such as being in the snow and holding the ice from a frozen pond and later walking on the ice on that pond. The lowest temperature we experienced while she was here was 7 degrees fahrenheit. She saw it snow several times. She went to Smoke Hole Caverns and Luray Caverns. She had never been in a cave before. Another first is that she learned to ski and went skiing with kids from the WV Deaf and Blind School. This is a Lions sponsored recreation program and our District Governor, Barbara Fishel, invited her to join the group.

As you will see, while Meylin was with us she did many things, went many places and met many people. She attended a Lions District cabinet meeting, our West Virginia Leadership School, the ski trip and two of our Lions meetings. She made a powerpoint presentation at the second Lions club meeting she attended, talking about both her life in Peru as well as her experiences while in West Virginia. She attended our Ruritan's Senior Christmas Party and jumped right in to help with the activities. She learned that many people in West Virginia heat their homes with wood and are either unable to get wood or pay for it. We belong to Capon Valley Neighbor to Neighbor a local group that provides assistance to those who need it in our community. She actually went out with us in the woods to cut and gather firewood to be delivered to two homes. She attended Shiloh United Methodst church with us each Sunday and several church activities that took place while she was here.

She told us she liked the cold weather and living in the country.

I have included links to a photo journal that I made for both Meylin and us. Now, I must warn you that I have never done this before and I am not a great writer. I just write and tell it like it is. I have also included a newspaper article which appeared in two of our local newspapers.

Now, for a commercial break. The Lions Youth Camps & Exchange program is designed for high school and older students ages 15-21. Lions provides youth the opportunity to travel abroad to a variety of countrys for a period of 4-6 weeks. Here in West Virginia we provide $1,500 travel grants for two students and more if funds are available. If funding has run out additional students may participate if choosen, if they are able to pay their own way .

We had a tremendous experience hosting Meylin and can highly recommend it to anyone who would like to have the opportunity of a lifetime. You will make a new friend in both the youth and their parents. We still talk with Meylin at some point each week, even if it is only for a few minutes. You don't have to be a member of Lions nor do you have to have high school students in your home. You can talk with your local Lions club and indicate that you would like to be considered as a host family. Also, if you have a son or daughter, 15 to 21 years old, that would like to travel abroad during their summer break contact your local Lions club to learn more about the Lions Youth Exchange Program.

As you can see, the photo journal is set out in 6 segments due to it's size. Each segment is about 3.75mb. Enjoy