Rotary Youth Exchange gave me hope for peace
Kate Roff
By Kate Roff, a former Rotary Youth Exchange student
Being lost in the middle of the bustling, hazy, city of Bangkok, Thailand, is not ideal for a 17-year-old Australian girl. But, it was a moment that changed my life.
I was on Rotary Youth Exchange and despite excellent instructions from my caring host-family; I had no idea how the intricate bus system worked, and hadn’t mastered the language yet to ask. After boarding the wrong bus for the third time, a young student calmly stood up, took me by the arm and walked me miles down the road to the right stop. She spoke little English, but waited patiently until my bus arrived and told the driver my destination. It must have added a full hour to her day, and she wanted nothing in return – just to help a stranger.
A bustling, hazy, street scene in Bangkok, Thailand.
Photo by Joe Powers
Photo by Joe Powers
I was shocked. I had never encountered such kind-
ness. That was one of many moments I was humbled
by the generosity of the Thai people during my exch-
ange year, and something that I hold up as proof of
genuine compassion in the world.
ness. That was one of many moments I was humbled
by the generosity of the Thai people during my exch-
ange year, and something that I hold up as proof of
genuine compassion in the world.
Peace News provides alternative news stories
from conflict zones.
from conflict zones.
Today, I am the founding editor of Peace News –
a new media platform that provides alternative
news stories from conflict zones. While main-
stream war reporting focuses on violence, explo-
sions, and hatred, we focus on telling stories of
peace-builders. Wars need to be covered, but
we aim to provide balance to the reporting – in
every conflict zone there are people taking risks
for peace, and we want to show that side as well.
a new media platform that provides alternative
news stories from conflict zones. While main-
stream war reporting focuses on violence, explo-
sions, and hatred, we focus on telling stories of
peace-builders. Wars need to be covered, but
we aim to provide balance to the reporting – in
every conflict zone there are people taking risks
for peace, and we want to show that side as well.
In my line of work I see, and hear about, horrific
violence, and it’s often difficult to keep faith in
humanity. I believe it’s a growing fear for many
people today, and sensationalist media repre-
sentations of how ‘bad the world is becoming’
don’t help. We often need reminding that there
are still great people out there, that there are
inspiring examples of tolerance and empathy
still going on.
violence, and it’s often difficult to keep faith in
humanity. I believe it’s a growing fear for many
people today, and sensationalist media repre-
sentations of how ‘bad the world is becoming’
don’t help. We often need reminding that there
are still great people out there, that there are
inspiring examples of tolerance and empathy
still going on.
My year as an exchange student showed
me that there is good reason to have hope,
and provided me with a platform to direct my
career. Through the endless examples of kind-
ness from a host country, and also exposure to
many cultures through other exchange students,
I saw enormous capacity for a global community.
Rotary taught me to appreciate and respect diver-
sity – a hot topic today with global immigration
debates.
me that there is good reason to have hope,
and provided me with a platform to direct my
career. Through the endless examples of kind-
ness from a host country, and also exposure to
many cultures through other exchange students,
I saw enormous capacity for a global community.
Rotary taught me to appreciate and respect diver-
sity – a hot topic today with global immigration
debates.
I have no idea who that student was who stop-
ped to direct a confused foreigner all those years
ago, but her act reminds me daily of what one mo-
ment of empathy can do. She taught me to have a
little trust in the world we are so often trying furious-
ly to change – and to always travel with a bus map.
Learn more about Rotary Youth Exchangeped to direct a confused foreigner all those years
ago, but her act reminds me daily of what one mo-
ment of empathy can do. She taught me to have a
little trust in the world we are so often trying furious-
ly to change – and to always travel with a bus map.
Please note that our website address
has been updated to:
www.northjacksonrotary.org
has been updated to:
www.northjacksonrotary.org
