The Manitoba 4-H program was able to revive their Japanese student exchange program this past summer through the York-Benimaru Foundation.
“This was our first year back since 2019, so we were happy to send ten 4-H members over there and two chaperones,” reports Shannon Carvey, Executive Director for 4-H Manitoba. “And then in August, we had 20 Japanese students arrive in Manitoba and they were all hosted in homes of 4-H families.”
Carvey says they are really grateful for the return of this exchange program and the unique experience offered to these students.
“They all got to experience two weeks of 4-H families in Manitoba and it's really a great experience seeing the connection that those Japanese students make with our families for two weeks. It's amazing to watch them grow and learn more English and experience Manitoba and Canadian culture. We're just really grateful to have the opportunity to partner with York-Benimaru Foundation, their generosity is unmatched.”
Since this exchange program started up, hundreds of students from Manitoba and Japan have participated.
“Thirty-seven years ago, the Department of Agriculture was doing some trade work in Japan around pork. There was an opportunity through discussions that the York-Benimaru Foundation wanted some of the students from Japan to have the opportunity to travel to Manitoba and learn about agriculture.”
The Manitoba 4-H Council is now getting ready for its annual fundraising dinner, Green Tie Gala, on November 6th in support of provincial programming that benefits 4-H Manitoba youth.
- With files from Betty Sawatzky -