An open window on the excellence of our territory, positive events in the name of friendship and solidarity, too often overlooked, which contribute to making our Community better. The Lions Clubs, the largest humanitarian organization in the world, present in over 200 countries, follows this ethic: Demonstrate, with the excellence of the works and the diligence of the work, the seriousness of the vocation to service.
The Beauty of Giving has once again been declined to dedicate care and attention to the world of young people so that they can rediscover the values of friendship, sharing, solidarity and peace.
The Lions Club Perugia Host, at the instigation of President Letizia Mezzasoma, wanted to participate on several occasions in the Youth Camps and Exchanges (YCE) program, present throughout the world and designed for young people between the ages of 15 and 22, with the intent of creating and promoting a spirit of understanding between the peoples of the world. By providing a tool for global partnership, the YCE program aims to help young people start, grow and maintain international relations by promoting knowledge of other cultures and international peace, making camps and families available, to allow them to live what in their reports they will define as “The most beautiful experience of my life!”.
The Youth Exchange Program (YCE) was born in 1961 and was then implemented in 1974 through the creation of the Youth Camps. For the L.C. Perugia Host it represented a precious opportunity to offer young people of different nationalities the opportunity to learn about and experience the culture of our territory, thanks to a demanding but stimulating program prepared by the host families and divided into numerous activities. At the beginning of July, Lucie, from the Czech Republic, and Karla, from Mexico, through the Host Family project, were able to experience Perugia by learning about its culture, traditions, and daily life as guests of the families of Morena Mortaro and member Loredana Virdis (tireless and active Member for Umbria of the District Committee of Youth Camps and Exchanges) thanks to a program of visits to our territory dedicated to them. Also at the beginning of July, the L.C. Perugia Host participated in the organization of the Perugia stage of the Friendship Camp “E. Cesarotti” offering the opportunity to a large group of young people to appreciate Perugia from every point of view: artistic, architectural, culinary. In the true spirit of the Service, the L.C. Perugia Host also participated in the outgoing exchanges, having given Francesco Lisarelli the opportunity to live an extraordinary two-week experience in New Zealand, from July 26 to August 14, 2023. During the Christmas holidays, from December 21 to 27, five girls and boys from Mexico and Japan were guests of the families of Morena Mortaro and the members Loredana Virdis and Stefano Saetta who prepared a special program with the declared aim of making known and appreciated the culture and traditions of our country, according to what is the mission of the Youth Exchanges.
During their stay, the kids were able to admire the beauties of Perugia, Assisi, Gubbio, they participated in the preparation of an international dinner, each bringing to the table the specialties of their own country, they attended the Christmas concert of Maestro Maurizio Mastrini. After immersing themselves in the magic of Christmas in Assisi, having walked the traditional three laps around the Fountain of Piazza Grande in Gubbio, having enjoyed Christmas lunch with the family, the 27th was the day of farewells, moved, after a period of sharing habits, customs, daily life that made this stay a unique experience not only for the kids hosted.
A Poster for Peace
The International Competition A Poster for Peace of Lions International, now in its 36th edition, had as its theme: Dare to Dream. The Lions Club Perugia Host has always promoted the initiative thanks to the dedication and perseverance of Past President Antonio Ansalone. Thanks to the Director Morena Passeri and the active and courteous collaboration, in all phases of the initiative, of Professors Marianelli, Brozzi, Aiò, Sempreviva and Amadori, the San Paolo Middle School has confirmed its now traditional participation in the competition reserved for very young people between the ages of 11 and 13.
For the year 2023-2024, the joint winners were: Vittoria Romani and Matteo Bennardi, who will be awarded, together with the second and third place winners, by the President of the Lions Club Perugia Host, Letizia Mezzasoma, during a specific dedicated event. In the meantime, Romani and Bennardi were awarded, on Sunday 14 April, by the Governor of the Lions District 108 L Michele Martella and will participate in the subsequent selection, among all those sent by the 130 Lions Clubs of the District, which will indicate the winning poster of the Lions Multidistrict of Italy.
An artistic competition that allows to maintain a strong bond between the Lions world, the school and the young people and that allows to draw attention to one of the most precious assets ever, especially in this historical moment, so dramatically torn, in which awareness seems lost. Today more than ever this initiative seems to take on an even more important and significant value.
Filippo Vincenzo Maiolo
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