Host families needed for Chinese students

The Education First Homestay Program — an organization specializing in offering students from abroad an experience of a lifetime — is in desperate need of finding host families in the Porterville area for more than 20 students who will arrive Tuesday from China.

“This is an emergency situation,” program recruiter Charlene Woods said. “As a rule we have plenty of time to do this but this time only, it is an emergency.”

The students were scheduled to stay in the Redondo Beach area but had a last-minute change of plans because of a medical emergency with the person handling that area.

A group of 36 students, 13 to 17 years of age, arrive in Los Angeles on Tuesday and in Porterville on Wednesday.

Though homes have been found for some, 17 boys and four girls still need host families. They will stay in Porterville through Aug. 8.

“They all speak English and come with their own spending money and medical insurance,” Woods said. “Once you have your Chinese students, you fall in love with them.”

Woods said families with young children are also encouraged to host.

“The Chinese students love children. They are so intrigued with little kids,” Woods said. “Most of them do not have little brothers and sisters. In China, if you have more than one child, you get fined. Most are only children.”

Host families do not need to provide spare bedrooms for the students.

Families are responsible to feed them breakfast, pack a daily lunch and transport them to Grand Avenue Methodist Church for classes.

Busses will transport the students for afternoon activities, which include everything from shopping and museums to bowling and movies.

Weekends are purposely unscheduled to allow the host families and students time together.

“It was a delight. I learned a lot from them and hope they learned from us,” said Mary Leavitt who hosted a couple of students recently. “They were charming. They were inquisitive, polite and we had fun trying different foods that we take for granted but were new to them.”

The unique summer adventure benefits students and hosts and is an opportunity to make lasting friendships and beautiful memories with international students, Woods said.

“Every foreign child — this is their one greatest desire, to come to America,” Woods said. “They’re well mannered kids, very well behaved. You will learn about your student’s customs and traditions as they discover the culture and lifestyle here.”

To host a child or for more information, call Woods at 568-2263 or 359-7401, or program coordinator Sally Gonzalez at 781-7124 or 788-7124.

-- Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047 or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.