Some
weeks ago, on one of those rare, un-seasonably warm days
that are a tantalizing sample of Spring yet to come, I was
stopped dead-in-my-tracks by the sound of a voice, while
shopping at a local drug store. Someone quite near me was
speaking on a cell phone in softly, beautiful, Japanese.
Although our family’s stay in Japan occurred many
years ago, the sound of the language still brings back happy,
half-forgotten memories. Emboldened perhaps,by the weather,
I introduced myself and then asked “Keiko” if
by any chance, she had a group of friends from Japan with
whom I might visit and hopefully re-activate my Japanese
language skills. From this chance encounter, I learned about
“Round-the-World Women”, a non-profit organization
that for fifty years has welcomed women from other countries
to the New Haven area.
Founded in 1949, Round-the-World
Women was formerly affiliated with the International Center
in New Haven as a community organization to help foreign
students and their families at Yale and other local universities
According to Anna Deming, one of the original members who
still dedicates many hours to the group, in the early years,
women from other countries needed much more assistance to
find housing and bargain furniture, help with shopping and
school enrollment, learning English or solving the many
problems that occur when adjusting to living in a foreign
country. Now a’ days, the weekly meetings, while still
helpful in assisting adjustment to a new community, are
more socially focused. At a recent gathering, women from
Germany, Sweden and Russia were learning the traditional
Japanese art of origami while their children played in the
volunteer staffed nursery. Other programs have featured,
“What to See in New York City”, “Introduction
to Quilting”and “History and Customs of American
Thanksgiving”. “Round-the-World Women is a place
where you can make friends and a place to find family when
you are actually far away from it” said one member.
(How I wish there had been something like this available
when we lived in Japan!) The group is serviced by American
and foreign volunteers and meets weekly at the First Baptist
church in New Haven. A Speakers Group is maintained so that
schools or clubs in the New Haven area may learn more about
foreign countries and their customs. There are also opportunities
for American families in the area who wish to meet or help
entertain a foreign family, during their stay here.
Although my schedule unfortunately
does not permit my weekly attendance, I hope to be able
to participate with this stimulating and interesting group.
I have already met Joan Crowley who had also lived in Japan
and we had a great deal of fun sharing our experiences.
Member, Orla Mardin who had formerly lived in Turkey, has
e-mailed me with many tips for the trip I will be taking
there in May. Groups like Round-the-World Women contribute
in no small measure, to the understanding and friendships
that are the basis of, and hope for, a peaceful world. For
more information, go to rww-international.com
or call Susanne-Lyoubi-Burk (203-779-5059) or Anna Deming
(203-561-7749).
Jean Cherni
is founder of Senior Living Solutions, a retirement advisory
service. Contact her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or
15 The Ponds, Branford 06405.
H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
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