Rotary Exchange Program Changes Lives
Katie Glaves is an alumnist of the Rotary Exchange program who's exchange took her to South Africa in 1989/90 only one year before the end of Apartheid in that country and 4 years before Nelson Mandela was elected President. Before traveling to South Africa Katie felt that Apartheid was wrong but the experience of being immersed in the culture she realized that this was a far more complex cultural issue than she, as a Canadian 17 year old student, initially understood. Katie came to understand that life is not "black and white" (pardon the pun) but multi-shades of grey. This understanding had led her to not judge others but to seek understanding, especially in her career as a Social Worker with the Children's Aid Society.
Katie made many friends in South Africa, especially with the six Rotary families she lived with during her year. She was met at the airport by a Rotarian who became "uncle Sid" who gave her a big hug and said you're with me. She became his "fifth" daughter as the other four had the "audacity" to grow up. The town of Virginia in South Africa was small, conservative and fairly isolate. The Rotarians felt a little guilty she was placed in the middle of nowhere and made tremendous efforts to take her everywhere they could. As a result she saw a great deal of the country, which may not have happened in a larger community.
Katie cherishes her memories of her time with the Rotarians in South Africa and through the marvels of social media is now able to stay in touch with many of her African friends.