Since its establishment in 1977, with the support and endorsement of President Jimmy Carter, Friendship Force International has actively sought to foster positive relations between diverse people and cultures through a global network of 345 volunteer-led Clubs in more than 60 countries.
FFI is a non-profit exchange organisation dedicated to the principle that each person can make a contribution to global goodwill. Home hospitality – the heart of each exchange – provides the opportunity for people of different countries and cultures to connect at a personal level. More than half a million participants have experienced the personal enrichment and cross-cultural understanding that result from FFI exchanges. The ever-widening FFI global network represents a powerful and growing force that can overcome differences between people.
THE FRIENDSHIP FORCE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Traveling on a FFI exchange is a different way to see the world. You travel with a small group led by an experienced volunteer Exchange Director. Upon arrival, your FFI host family welcomes you into their home, usually for five to seven days. This is the core of the FF experience. Enjoy getting to know your Hosts and their community as an insider and personal guest, not a tourist. Then, following the FFI programme in the host community, you can explore the region with additional travel or return home. FFI also offers a growing number of exchanges based on specific themes:
- Professional Exchanges link teachers, farmers, doctors, and others according to their occupations
- Youth and Family Exchanges offer every member of the family the opportunity to share a FF experience
- Hobby Exchanges allow Ambassadors to travel together around common interests such as gardening, sports, antiquing, music, dancing or trekking
- Humanitarian Exchanges link people who are motivated by helping others through service and the sharing of resources and expertise
The hall mark of any FFI exchange is the hospitality provided by local Hosts to visiting Ambassadors. Doors are opened and you are invited into a home as a welcomed guest.
FF Members love to travel. But they also enjoy hosting visitors from other countries. As a Host, FF Ambassadors are welcomed into your home for five to seven days to share in the community and everyday life. Guests will want to explore on their own as well, but as a Host, you will be their guide introducing our culture and lifestyle in a setting that builds personal connections between both of our countries.
Friendship Force has been a regular at the Omokoroa Settlers Hall for quite a number of years. Meetings are held on a regular basis with outings along with other interesting activities (suitable for the entire family) arranged throughout the year. The Omokoroa FF Club is governed by volunteer members within our community, supported internationally by a staff at the headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Please visit: www.friendshipforce.org or for further information about the Omokoroa FF Club, contact: Jonathan via email: jono.bspink@gmail.com or call: 07 572 2091
