Page 18 - link magazine

18 LOCAL LIVES

In the first contribution to our new page on West Swindon people,
Ta k I n g 1992 personally Ruth Ogle from Freshbrook describes how her family is making
European friends
1992 has come to mean closer contact with other wanted to go. Her resolve amazed us, but we
countries in the European community. More contacted En Famille who sent us lots of infor-
oftenthan not this refers to economic union. But mation and in due course we attended an inter-
social and cultural ties are also going to be view with the founder of the organisation, who
strengthened. also meets the French families.
Since late August we have been host to a nine We met him again last Easter and then had a
year old girl from a French family. In mid- telephone call in July to say they had found a
February, our daughter Rosemary will return family for us.
with Katiana to France to with her and her family Great excitement! How would we communi-
live for six months. cate with them as we were told their English was
The exchange was arranged by En Famille, an as limited as our French? But we managed when
organisation started by a teacher in France who we spoke on the phone and then found help to
wanted to help young children learn another translate a lettertelling them wha tclothes Katiana
language by immersing them in another culture might need. Then what would we feed them,
for a long period of time. And it works. would our cuisine be acceptable? It all worked
Katiana was brought to us by her parents with out wonderfully well when they arrived and
no English. At first we used our rusty, failed '0' stayed with us for a night.
level French to explain things, but it is extraordi- Next August we'll go to the Anieche to pickup
nazyto see how she has acquired English in such Rosemary and listen to her strangled English.
a short time In December she had a part in the Other parents who have exchanged report their
school production with the rest of her class. children forget their language and acquire a
Obviously the interaction between her and our dreadful accent. Katiana's weekly phone call
two children has been the main force for under- with her parents now combines both languages
standing words and expressions. For example, and they say her French accent is awful.
they have almost constantly played games with Now we have made friends with a French
each other which has demanded language devel- Learning all about civic duties - Thamesd own Mayor family and hopefully the two girls will be able to
opment. Monopoly has been a great favourite. Councillor Derique Montaut entertained Alexander, visit each other in future years.
Recently ad ifficult game called Echelon has taken atiana and Rosemary inhisparlour before Christmas Making an exchange is something we would
hold which requires players to read and remem- recommend to other families if they are prepared
ber a piece from a novel, then answer questions welcome it gave Katiana and in particular to her to be tolerant, open minded and can plan it into
on it. class teacher, who has helped a great deal in theirlives. All important is the question of whether
Katiana has attended Windmill Hill School in continuing her education in England. the child concerned wants to take part. If he or
Freshbmok with Rosemary and our son Alex- Having a third child around, when you are she Is interested, the benefits of learning another
ander. We are indebted to the school for the used to only two, was a bit of a shock at first, but language and making friends with somebody
Katiana quickly became from another culture cannot be underestimated.
a close part of the fam- We would be happy to talk to anybody who
ily. It has been great fun would like to know more. Ournumber is 872282.
Christie & Plumb to have her with us and, En Famille can send information. Write to Mrs
as in all families, it has Maria Hearl, 'Parthing",TwyfoixiPlace,Tiverton,
been hard work to sort EXI6 6AP.
out the arguments, to
1st Mortgage keep the noise levels
down and to find a bit Sponsors wanted for
2nd Mortgage of space for ourselves. voluntary teacher
It's strange to think
Re-Mortgage that in a few weeks we in Africa
will have only one child Owen Senior, who lives in Shaw and is an A level
Commercial Mortgage U living with us as Rose- student at Wootton Bassett School, is planning to
mary takes off for her spend next year as a voluntary teacher in Africa.
In fact if it's advice you require grand adventure. She He decided to take a year's break before going
on any financial matter including will have theadvantage to university, and had the idea of doing volun-
of having a friend to be tary work after seeing a charitable organisation
secured personal loans, pensions,
with, whereas Katiana operating in Northern Thailand.
savings, etc., you need only ONE number. was brought and left by Owen will be working under the auspices of
her family, brave feat The Project Trust,a registered charity whose aim
SWINDON 616133 by any standards. Is to further the social and educational develop-
It's going to be diffi- ment of young people through service In Third
and speak to Hugh Christie or David Plumb. cult for Rosemary to World countries.
turnoff herEnglish and He was chosen following a rigorous selection
to acquire French. She week on the Isle of Coil in the Inner Hebrides.
Christie & will be going to a tiny Owen heard aboutTheProjectTrustfromJuliette
Plumb, where your interests
village in the Ardeche, Smith who has recently returned from a year as
come first and good service is guaranteed.
south-east France and volunteer in Brazil.
will be attending a Owen must raise f2,000 towards costs, through
school with only thir- work, sponsorship and donations. Already R P
161 Rodbourne Road, Swindon, Wilts
teen children. Scherer have kindly promised £100. Owen will
Telephone: (0793) 616133
She's never had any keep sponsors informed of his progress, and give
Fax: (0793) 485959 doubt about going to slide show presentations on his return.
Your home is at risk if you do not keep up repayments France. We asked her Owen would be very grateful forany help, and
on a mortgage or a loan secured on it. about the idea when she anyone who might be able to help should contact
was seven and she im- him on 771297 for more information.
Appointed representatives of Eagle Star Group mediately said she •
Juliette Smith is featured on page 20