FROM THE DIRECTOR

Hello!

As many of you know, we created the Schildhouse fund in honor of Ruth and Burt Schildhouse, whom have worked tire-

lessly for many years building The Columbus International Program from its beginning. We award grants to enhance

international understanding, cultural exchange, cultural inclusion, and any activities, that create relationships between

Americans and people from other countries. This year, we have issued grants to Serving our Neighbor Ministries

(S.O.N.), VSA Ohio—the state organization on Arts and Disability; and Mondokio, which is a new student and teacher

run international news outlet. We would also like to thank everyone that provided donations to make these grants possi-

ble.

Our Annual Buffet and Silent Auction is just around the corner! You are invited to join us on September 22nd, at 4:30pm,

for international foods, fun, and entertainment. We are also looking for Silent Auction donations, so please contact Kathy

Moser or myself at 614-221-0034 for donation suggestions. This event would not be possible without donations and sup-

port from our members!

As for the Art Therapy Delegation, they are having a blast! So far, they have gone to the Sanctuary for the Arts, attended

Picnic with the Pops and toured Stephanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center. They participated in a phone

conference with Be the Match Registry, and shopped at Polaris Mall. Click here to view photos of the Delegation on our

Facebook Page. In addition, we would like to welcome Masako Aoki from Japan and Abdurahmon Isogov from Tajiki-

stan, that have joined the Art Therapy Delegation this month as they transition into a more Social Work oriented delega-

tion. We look forward to having them join our group, and experience everything that Columbus and CIP has to offer!

Sincerely,

Mark Poeppelman, Executive Director

A u g u s t N e w s l e t t e r 2 0 1 3

I am with the Art Therapy

Delegation, Tina Lassiter, and

her staff who traveled here from

Washington D.C.

CIP will be continuing the India Youth Advocacy program next

year, and will be aiming to four to eight participants over the

course of six to eight weeks. These participants will be traveling

around Ohio and working with disadvantaged individuals. We will

develop the program and have visits in other major cities in Ohio

as well. We plan to grow the program into a State Delegation, so

the participants can get the most out of their participation. From

our recent experiences with Meena, we have learned that the ex-

pertise these individuals have is outstanding. The staff and the

board of CIP is excited for this new program opportunity!

INDIA YOUTH WELFARE PROGRAM

MEENA’S VISIT SUMMARY

If Meena Singh's visit could be summed up into

one word, it would be "inspirational." Meena

was the first participant to kickoff CIP's India

Youth Advocacy Program, and she did so with a

bang. Meena met with professionals, doctors,

teachers, and parents all across Ohio, that are

involved in Deaf and Disabilities Services. She

attended the Ohio State Special Olympics and

traveled to the Ohio Valley Voices in Cincinnati.

Meena specifically gained valuable skills and

insight on early childhood development, and in

turn, provided advice on cultural sensitivity to

her counterparts. Meena possesses a great deal

of wonderful qualities and her love for her work

with children was obvious.

Page 2 A u g u s t N e w s l e t t e r 2 0 1 3 Page 2

Meena received her certification for completing the India Youth

Welfare Program from CIP director, Mark Poeppelman.

CIP Intern Hafsa Khan (far left) with Meena

Singh (Center) with individuals from the Deaf

Initiative Organization.

TASTE OF COLUMBUS BUFFET AND SILENT AUCTION

A u g u s t N e w s l e t t e r 2 0 1 3 Page 3

Our 39th Annual International Taste of Columbus Buffet and Silent Auction

will take place on September 22nd, at the OCLC (see page six for details). The

Taste of Columbus is an opportunity to sample international

culture and cuisine present in our own city. There will be foods from

international restaurants and authentic music. Gift baskets from various

countries and cities and countries will be featured during our silent auction.

Our live auction is the highlight of the event with guests outbidding one an-

other for one-of-a-kind items. You can buy tickets on this website.

The OSU Dhadkan Group and OSU Organization of Arab Students will

provide entertainment at this year’s buffet. You may click their names for a

preview of their performances.

We are still seeking donations of items for the auction, such as tickets to

events and museum tours, gift cards, and gift baskets. Please contact

Kathy Moser at 221-0034 if you are able to donate or have questions. We

will make arrangements to pick up your donation if necessary.

One of our participating restaurant’s Café Istanbul, will be providing a 15%

discount to CIP Members. The discount will begin August 1st and last until the

start of the event on September 22nd. In order to receive the discount, please print out the

following email. Click here to print.

We would like to take a moment to honor the life of Elvira Serra. Elvira had

been a member of CIP for many years. She was an active board member and

was instrumental in planning and developing the International Taste of

Columbus event.

In addition to the wonderful assistance Elvira provided to CIP, she was also

involved with the American Cancer Society, the Buckeye State Harmonica

Club, where she served as the secretary for many years, and Our Lady of

Peace Catholic Church, where she was a founding member of the parish, she

was recently honored in a special ceremony for her years of service caring

for the church linens.

You may view her obituary and send condolences on the following website.

We appreciate Elvira’s family’s request to have donations made to CIP in

her memory.

MEMORIAL FOR ELVIRA SERRA

Elvira’s handprint will be forever etched

in our organization’s legacy.

Join us the Taste of Columbus to

enjoy delicious international

food! “All you can eat”

Tuija Koivisto of Keuruu, Finland

A u g u s t N e w s l e t t e r 2 0 1 3 Page 4

Who is Tuija Koivisto? Tuija participated with a delegation from Finland in our

Social Work Program in the summer of 2012. Tuija currently resides in Keuruu,

Finland where she works as a Director of Keuruu’s Elderly Services Department.

Keuruu is a small town in the center of the country. There is a population of 10,600

people and there are 400 lakes and ponds.

What is she doing in Keuruu? As the director of Keuruu’s Elderly Services

Department, Tuija leads a staff of 150 employees. The organization has a clientele

of over 600 people. Tuija provides leadership and guidance, but finance and

administration are her main responsibilities. She has worked with the department for

over 12 years. They work with the elderly who are diagnosed with an illness or a

physical disability. The main source of care is homecare, where the department pro-

vides nurses and caregivers to help meet the various needs of each

client. Since her return to Finland, the department has built a shelter with a

residency for 65 individuals.

Participating in the Finland Social Work Program: Tuija participated in our pilot program that was co-sponsored

with the Council of International Fellowship (CIF) Finland and Talentia, a Social Workers Union in Finland. During the

program she was able to learn about the various social work practices in the United States. She was particularly

fascinated with various organizations that provided care for the elderly. She also enjoyed her experience at the Ohio

State University’s College of Social Work. She thought that the lectures were thought provoking and professional.

Favorite Memories at CIP: She loved her experience living with Leslie Huntington who served as her host during the

training program. This experience enriched her perspective on American Culture. Make sure to visit our Facebook page

to view pictures of her experience in the United States!

CATCHING UP WITH FORMER PARTICIPANTS

Tuija Koivisto

A u g u s t N e w s l e t t e r 2 0 1 3 Page 5

CIP participant Esther Ndakalu of Kenya, has been busy

since she arrived in May. On July 18th, she spoke at a class in

the Ohio State University's College of Social Work. Jenny

Kreinbrink, a field program coordinator, invited Esther to

speak to her seminar class. She spoke of the struggles that

social workers face in Kenya. For example, she mentioned

the issue of communication barriers with clients. Esther had

to learn to speak seven languages in order to try to

communicate with clients. She also mentioned that it is a

challenge to recruit social workers in Kenya because social

workers often have to volunteer their services. Esther also

shared her about her experiences in Columbus where she is

training with United Way of Central Ohio’s Columbus Kids

Program and Action for Children. Her goal is help to improve

the social work system in Kenya.

ESTHER’S PRESENTATION AT OSU

In July, we spent time with another group of Chinese youth from the city of

Xi’an, who participated in the Hexico Summer Camp Program. This group in-

cluded 30 kids, who are 10 years old, and in 4th grade. They were accompanied

by 3 teachers from their school, as well as the school principal. They were loads

of fun! While in Columbus, their most memorable activity was watching the Med-

flight helicopters. Additionally, they also had a lot of fun at Magic Mountain. The

group also spent a day at

High Banks Metro Park

where they had a barbe-

cue and had the opportu-

nity to play games. They

really enjoyed spending

time in the park, and

were shocked at the

abundance of squirrels

we have.

CHINESE YOUTHS FROM XI’AN AT HEXICO SUMMER CAMP

Chinese boys playing Wheel of

Fortune at Magic Mountain.

The group in front of a Medflight Helicopter.

Esther at The Ohio State College of Social Work.

CIP 2013 Upcoming Events

August 9th CIP participant Şükriye Karahan’s Presentation on Turkey

Café Istanbul at 6:00 to 8:00 PM

6125 Riverside Dr

Dublin, Ohio 43017

Prices: $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers, and $10 for

students.

August 23th CIP Participant Kwame Sarpong's Presentation on Ghana

Drelyse Restaurant 5:30 to 7:30 PM

1911 Tamarack Cir N,

Columbus, OH 43229

Price: $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers, and $10 for students.

Sept. 22nd The 39th Annual Columbus Taste of Columbus Buffet and Silent Auction

Online Computer Learning Center, Inc. (OCLC) 4:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.

6565 Kilgour Place

Dublin, Ohio 43017

Prices: $40 for members, $45 for non-members and $25 for students.

Our signature fundraiser will feature various international restaurants

and entertainment in Columbus, and surrounding areas. We will

participate in a Live and Silent auction that will feature city and

country gift baskets.

Register and make payment today!

RSVP to our events by contacting the office by phone at 614-221-0034