Our Mission

Friendly Exchange has been dedicated to promote peace through understanding and friendship for more than 25 years. The program gives American families the opportunity to learn about a new country - Guatemala: its culture, customs, and way of living, and to share their own.

About Us

It is a Cultural Family Program, duly registered and in compliance with the International Student Exchange Organization Act of the Minnesota and Washington Secretaries of State.

Latin American parents and schools discovered that these few weeks broaden the world view of their children, and have enriched them for a lifetime. American families realized that people are the same everywhere, and were amazed at how these kids could bring so much love into their own families.

History

Friendly Exchange has branched out and maintains the original idea of an American priest, who back in 1949 brought one of his students home to spend the summer with his family on a Minnesota farm. The "visit" turned out to be such a success, that the next summer many more students wanted to have the same experience.

Bessie de Figueroa, Miriam de Cordon and Mrs. Nell White wanted to give their children the opportunity to expand their horizons since 1978. They had such a great experience that decided to provide other students the same opportunity.
Latin American parents and schools discovered that these few weeks broaden the world view of their children, and have enriched them for a lifetime. American families realized that people are the same everywhere, and were amazed at how these kids could bring so much love into their own families.

Friendly Exchange has been organizing groups of enthusiastic youngsters since 1984, that are willing to take advantage of their vacations and experience the program. Many of the students have opened doors, making good friends who have become families.
During the last 25 years, we have gained many friends in Guatemala as well as in the United States, who have enriched the lives of all persons involved with Friendly Exchange.