With over 15,000 active members, Friendship Force is a non-profit cultural organization focused on promoting understanding, cultural education and citizen diplomacy through homestay Journeys and personal friendships. It is based in more than 45 countries and on six continents, with 15,000 active members and over 300 Journeys taking place each year.
Lyn says: “It is small group travel, not limited to just women, but because of the safety factor most journeys are majority women. The foundation is clubs visiting other clubs, but if there is not a club near there are individuals who join in the various journeys.”
Martha says: “One of the founders of FFI was Jimmy Carter (when he was Governor of Georgia), and its mission is to cross political boundaries through homestays offering cultural exchanges and friendship. FFI is in 60 countries and offers week long homestays with local families. In addition to getting to know the family you stay with, you also have time to visit local sites and see your destination through their eyes. What better way to learn about a country than to share your experience with someone who lives there? Friendship Force believes a world of friends is a world of peace and that it can change the way you see the world.”