Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- There was a special treat for Effingham Noon Rotarians at their September 14th meeting as they enjoyed the return of the Kelheim Kids.
The 30 German students and four educators are in Effingham County for several days, staying at homes with high school students to find out about life in our area. Those same county students will travel to Kelheim next year to stay with the German students who have traveled here. This is the first year for the exchange since the start of the pandemic.
The exchange was the brainchild of Ralph Ruppel, a Vincennes, Indiana man proud of his German heritage who developed exchange programs not only with Kelheim and Effingham County, but with a number of German and American communities. The local exchange began in the 1990s. While Ruppel died in 2012 at age 77, the exchange program has continued. Students say the exchanges work since they stay with host families, rather than in a hotel.
Christian Pollath is heading the exchange team. Christian has made the trip for several years, and teams up with Kenny Thies of Effingham to coordinate the exchanges.
The group will head home to Germany next Monday.
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