Schupils experienced last day in Rheine – return visit at the beginning of October
Rheine. A few tears were shed at the farewell. 21 pupils from Leiria and four accompanying pedagogues said goodbye on Wednesday in the Portuguese leisure center after a one-week stay from Rheine to their host families and above all to the young people with whom friendships had already been made.
Under the motto “Youth on the way to Europe”, everyone had experienced an interesting and varied program together, which Clemens Schöpker had organized for the town twinning association and the schools. “The focus was on discovering what is special and recognizing what is common,” said Schöpker after welcoming the many young people, and especially the host parents, in the large hall of the leisure center. It was important for the organizers to get to know life in the families as well as the city Rheine and the region.
But with the street party naturally also together one celebrated. Salt boiling, a joint cooking afternoon at the FBS and a Hipp-Hopp seminar at TV Jahn were just some of the events that everyone enjoyed and enthusiastically participated in. The stay was rounded off by an excursion to Bad Bentheim Castle.
The companions of the young people from Leiria (from left): Lisete Pereira , Maria Lima , Maria Ramadas and Toni Carreira.
Schöpker expressed special thanks to the host parents for their willingness to host a young guest from the twin city for a week. He said the lively turnout at the final evening was a sign that they wanted to actively participate and celebrate with the children. With Portuguese specialties and hearty food from the grill, they spent a few pleasant hours together.
For the Portuguese, a visit to the state parliament was on the agenda on Thursday before their departure from Düsseldorf. Andrea Stullich, member of the state parliament, guided the group through the parliamentary chamber and the building and was also available for questions.
In return, the 21 young students from Rheine and the surrounding area will fly to Leiria at the beginning of October. They will be accompanied by Petra and Jose Azevedo, who will provide supervision during the week. The German-Portuguese exchange now has a long tradition: it was initiated back in 2001 by Isabel Almeida and Alfred Franz.
www.friendsineurope.com