12/31/2004 - Year End Message
With the tragic disaster unfolding in Asia and the list of casualties getting longer for every new headline, I must admit it is impossible to mobilize the usual cheery Happy New Year’s spirit and tell you about all the great things AFS accomplished in 2004 and AFS going to do even better in 2005. For anybody directly impacted and involved it must be absolutely devastating and unbearable, and for all the rest of us who follow these crushing events it is hard to comprehend the enormity and terrible impact of the disaster. The horrendous effects are of course most acutely felt in the countries directly hit by the horrific blow of the tsunami, but with reported deaths now covering at least 40 countries we are – in a very unsettling way – reminded of how small the world has become. For many people this happened both far away from and – at the same time – very close to home.
AFS responded well to the crisis; no surprises here. We are always concerned about the safety and well being of our participants, and this crisis was and is no exception. Our participants and natural families are accounted for, but at this time we are not certain of the impact on the larger family of AFS - volunteers, past host and natural families, returnees, and other supporters, we can just hope and pray that everybody is safe and sound. I want to thank everybody involved for their quick and thorough response.
In closing, I want to recognize the significant contributions and dedicated work of all our committed volunteers and staff who “made AFS happen” all over the world in 2004 and never let up in the quest for a just and more peaceful world. They are the backbone of our organization. Please extend my personal thanks to all of them.
I want to thank you for helping AFS make a very positive difference in many, many people’s lives in 2004 and send you my best wishes as we face a new year full of challenges.
Warmest regards,
Leslie E. Bains
President
AFS International
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