A Way of Stopping the Children Arguing at Christmas!
Sarah and John in Swansea started hosting over 30 years ago and have always enjoyed welcoming guests over the festive period. As they told us recently, “It all started as a way of stopping the children arguing at Christmas!”
In 2023 they were joined by Annet from Uganda and Ruth from Kenya. Annet tells us more about their visit:
“Our host family put together an itinerary of fun events to try in Swansea and dietary options for Ruth. The visit was a beautiful family affair involving the best Christmas traditions. We watched their favourite holiday films, engaged in family games, sang carols in a vigil mass on Christmas Eve and in our native languages before unboxing presents under the tree on Christmas day. One highlight was the great British full-course Christmas meal with some local delicacies like the Welsh lamb.
On Boxing Day, I even participated in a swim in the sea!
The hosts allowed us to share our East African cuisine and experiences. I am delighted to report back that we are not only grateful for an amazing UK experience and cultural exchange that we shall cherish forever but also have made friends for a lifetime. We visited so many amazing places in Swansea that enriched our UK experience during such a short trip. We shall most definitely plan a longer visit to experience more of Swansea with Sarah and John and I am excited about maintaining this amazing friendship formed last Christmas.
I am greatly indebted to Host UK for being selected for a memorable Christmas experience in Wales. I will cherish my time in Swansea for a lifetime and I hope to visit again.”
Sarah shared more about their memories of hosting:
“We have had students from many countries and cultures (probably over 100 by now) and feel we have gained far more than we have given. We have enjoyed eating together, their food and ours, playing games, singing, walking and learning about each other’s culture and backgrounds. We have enjoyed showing them around the places where we have lived. One student even helped me choose a hat for our son’s wedding.
We are still in touch with some of our students. We have followed one student through her Bachelor’s degree, her Master’s and were honoured to celebrate with her family when she received her PhD at our local university.
We have been so fortunate to have been a part of this programme.”
