The idea of visiting an alien land, interacting with the locals and sharing their own experiences with them is exciting for a group of 12 German youth who have descended on the city as part of a youth exchange programme.
Led by Volker Mueller and Franziska Protz, the team comprises Marco Jura, Marian Jenke, Toja Mager, Lea Debusmann, Tanja Rubas, Kristin Lakn, Nele-Marie Rebmann, Anais von Rircks, Benjamin Meeintzer and Jan Laufing.
The youth exchange programme between the Humanist Freethinker Association Havelland, Germany, and the Atheist Centre, Vijayawada, started over two decades ago and is going strong even today.
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“March towards universal equality a imperative. We are living in a world that is turning into a global village. Irrespective of differences in language, region, country, race and culture, the entire humanity is one. We may be different, but we are equal and we should live equally,” says Mr. Mueller on the sidelines of a cultural programme organised as part of a three-day workshop at the Vasavya Mahila Mandali.
First visit
“This is my first visit to India. I must admit that it took some time for me to overcome certain level of initial discomfort on account of difference of language, culture and lifestyle. But I have come to love this country; People here are friendly and warm. The traffic, of course, never ceases to puzzle me,” chuckles Marian Jenke, a musician.
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After familiarising themselves with the new climate and their local hosts, the youngsters were taken around important places, a few welfare project being implemented at the grass root level in the rural pockets and visits to families who opened their doors for them.
The workshop that dovetailed on the last of their stay in the city, was all about exchange of ideas as to how best to usher in development across the globe with a human face.
Local girls and boys, drawn from schools in the rural Andhra Pradesh, became part of the workshop and said it was a boon in disguise for them as it exposed them to a foreign culture.
The members, divided into five groups, presented their ideas and understandings in different modes based on the categories of theatre, photography, upcycling, sports and music.
“I love every part of this visit. It is helping me broaden my social horizons and enhance by self-development and awareness. Our culture and customs may be different but we think in similar way and our goals are same,” said Ms. Protz.