"Rotary Youth Exchange is about World Peace through building friendships and understanding" said Sanan, the RCPI Youth exchange Officer as the four students met Rotarians prior to departing on the Rotary Youth Exchange Programme. The students will spend an academic year with a host family as far afield as South Korea where they will integrate into normal family life, learn the language and attend school alongside their host family 'brothers and sisters'. "It is a tremendous opportunity for young people to really experience another country from the point of view of a resident rather than a tourist" said Sanan, "Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens.'
Our four youth exchange students with their families
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) is a Rotary International student exchange program for students in secondary school. Since 1929, Rotary International has sent young people around the globe to experience new cultures. Currently, about 9,000 students are sponsored by Rotary clubs every year. The Rotary Club of Copenhagen, Denmark initiated the first Rotary exchange in 1927, and the Rotary Club of Nice, France followed suit soon after in 1929. Although exchanges today usually last ten months, the first exchanges took place during school vacations for only a couple of weeks. The year-long Rotary Youth Exchange program was created in 1958 in Lake Placid at a Rotary Governors assembly. In 1962 the first youth exchange involving Japan and Germany was arranged after tense relations between the nations following World War II. Since its conception 80 years ago, the Rotary Youth Exchange program has expanded rapidly to exchange 9,000 students annually between 80 countries.
Contact YOUTH@RCPI.CLUB to find out more.
The RCPI board have agreed to once again renew our club's associate membership with the British Chamber of Commerce in Prague. With this comes the opportunity for any active member of the club to join the chamber as a member, which brings all the benefits of chamber membership including membership pricing to all events (even though many are free).
Hundreds of paddlers took part in the 2019 Rotary Club Prague International Dragon Boat Charity Challenge. Teams from companies, clubs, organisations and friends joined in the challenge to paddle the course as fast as possible AND in the process to raise hundreds of thousands of crowns for charities. Three charity partners who will share the proceeds: ŽIVOT 90, an organisation providing a wide range of services for senior citizens, Nadace Naše Dítě who offer much needed help and support for many children in very difficult circumstances and Výbor dobré vůle (VDV) whose main purpose is to help disabled, abandoned and discriminated against people to integrate into society. 
Dr Israng also reflected on the historic relations of the countries starting with the 16,000 people who sought refuge in the West German Embassy in Prague in 1989 as they sought a way to a new and free life in the West which they were granted. Dr Israng invited Members to join the "Festival of Freedom" on the 28th of September where, 30 years later, the Embassy will open its doors and events of 1989 will be remembered.He also did not shy away from discussing the impact of the second world war. "I have visited many places where atrocities were committed including Terezin. I have met the families and survivors of the atrocities and whilst I understand that some cannot forgive, many recognise that the Germany of today is a changed country. These are the most emotional experiences of my work."
The 10th Fabulous Year of the ROTARY DRAGON BOAT CHARITY CHALLENGE will take place on the 11th of May 2019 at Žluté lázně, Podolské nábřeží 3/1184, 140 00 Praha 4-Podolí.
When cleaning out in Spring this year please think of orphans in Dětský dům Senožaty /
Armed with a pencil and paper Josef Orei had a great idea back in 1992. Having left his previous employer he was involved in research which led to him and his associates filing a patent to detect substances. The group left the research establishment, acquired the rights to the patent and set up their own company which has since grown into one of the foremost suppliers of equipment to detect noxious and dangerous agents including chemical weapons. Josef explained to members that at any one time there are many thousands of tons of dangerous chemicals on the move by road, sea and air and that in the event of an accident detection and decontamination is critical. Oritest supplies fire brigades, rescue services, decontamination units and the military throughout the world with detection and protection equipment.
Members and Friends visited the now fully restored 
Prague's Charles University was the location for an international conference on Alzheimer's titled 'Making the Point', it was held under the auspices Rotarian Action Group for Peace and hosted by RCPI.
RCPI member Helena organised a truly exclusive tour of 
which opened in a converted factory in
A new record was set in November whe
n, for another year, Indian meals were delivered to individuals and businesses throughout Prague as part of the RCPI Indian Food Helps campaign. Gerry worked tirelessly organising volunteers, Blanka took hundreds of orders whilst Mamun and his team prepared over 800 meals. One day peaked with 166 meals prepared and deliverd! 
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