MP Tilson welcomes world youth

MP David Tilson poses with the team of youth exchange students outside his Orangeville office.

David Tilson, MP for Dufferin-Caledon, officially welcomed the Canada World Youth India Exchange Program team to his Orangeville office Sept. 13.

The nine Canadian and nine Indian youth and their two project supervisors crowded into his office on Broadway to ask him questions and to learn about the Canadian government.

The team will remain in Orangeville for the next 11 weeks, providing more than 5,000 volunteer hours to local organizations, such as the Avalon Retirement Centre, Dufferin Children & Family Services, Community Living, and Theatre Orangeville. The team will later fly together to India, where they will again live with host families and volunteer with host agencies.

Surprisingly, after one week in the community, two pairs of participants are still staying with hosts outside of Orangeville and waiting for local families to volunteer to take them in.

"My own experience as a billet hosting youth for Katimavik was rewarding. I would encourage families to open their homes to youth participating in this great program and help us to display Orangeville's hospitality," Tilson said.

Local families interested in hosting should contact Canada World Youth Project supervisors Anne-Marie Henry (519-546-7299) or Priyanka Bhagat (519-942- 7299).