There is nothing as heart warming as seeing people from different parts of the world, converge in one place, eating and playing together just like brothers and sisters in one big family! That is what North-south friendship exchange programs have done here in Norway, they have brought people closer and together more than ever before!
On the beautiful evening of 2nd June, 2011, young people from Tanzania, Kenya, and Guatemala under the program called SPOR, which is an exchange program for young people in Norway, met with their colleagues from Uganda under another exchange program called FK, in a small village on a hill called Buverud, Telemark County in Norway. They played and ate together with their Norwegian coordinators just like one big family! They were hosted by a lovely Norwegian man called Erik Bugge, who treated them to a wonderful meal, cake, coffee/tea just like his own children!
The North-south Friendship is a pattern ship between the different counties in Norway and some developing countries around the world. This pattern ship has changed people’s lives across the globe. If other countries in the western world could borrow a leaf from what Norway has done, then the world will be a better place for all of us to live in.
The youngest and the oldest SPOR-supporter?
Monica and Eva from Tanzania
Bringing people together from; Uganda, Tanzania, Norway, Kenya, Peru; North-South friendship at its best….
Text: Bernard Butare Buteera FK participant 2010/2011 Photos: Ingrid Kjelsnes
