Belchertown – Western Massachusetts residents experience significant travel and cultural exchange exchanges worldwide and their own houses making connections through Servas, a non -profit organization whose mission is to promote global understanding and promote peace. Servas International promotes understanding among the people of the world through face -to -face and virtual meetings, day visits or home stays at night.
Those who want to get more information are invited to attend an information session at CLAPP Memorial Library, 19 South Main St. of Belchertown on April 26, at 2pm
At present, there are about 17,000 members of Servas International representing 120 countries. Founded in 1949, Servas aims to work for a more peaceful world, a conversation at the same time. They believe in breaking down prejudices, discrimination and intolerance, anything that creates barriers among people. Since 1973, Servas has had a consultative state as a non -governmental organization with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, one of the six main bodies in the United Nations, this involvement allows servants to make a difference in promoting global peace.
Lisa and Tom Aiken de Belchertown have welcomed travelers from the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States and Mexico, with this last guest who is a young man traveling through the Servas Youth Language Experience program. Syle is an enriching opportunity for in -depth cultural and linguistic immersion for members of 18 to 30 years.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed all our guests, whether Sofia in Mexico teaching us how to make an authentic Mexican dish to enjoy an open night with Stephan from Germany,” said Lisa Aiken. “One of the sweetest memories was to visit Emily Dickinson’s tomb in Amherst with the 28-year-old Poet Sam in the United Kingdom, we were relaxing on the grass of the cemetery and was writing a poem for his friend who was inspired by the grave and the tour we just made of Emily’s house.”
For more information, visit USSERVAS.ORG and SERVAS.ORG.