Mary and I have been members of PTPI for over 25 years. We got involved with the organization through one of Mary’s colleagues. Our initial chapter was the Greater Trenton Chapter in New Jersey (USA) whose president at the time, Len Tharney, was a wonderful man and the dynamic leader of this chapter. It was a great experience to work with Len and meet and befriend our many chapter members. The activities of the chapter, like most PTPI chapters, were well balanced among humanitarian projects, cultural events, social gatherings, and financial support for the PTPI student ambassador program. With Len’s retirement, I became the chapter president and got more involved with the inner workings of this global organization, eventually becoming a trustee.
For the last fifteen years, we have attended and thoroughly enjoyed the PTPI global and regional conferences. We have met and partied with hundreds of warm, intelligent and lively Europeans during these conferences and have stayed in touch with many of them through personal visits, email, social media, and subsequent conferences. We have enjoyed the beauty of their countries; learned to appreciate their culture through tours of their cities and historical venues; experienced their dancing, singing, and music; and gained great insight into their individual perspectives and chapter challenges through discussions and work sessions at the World Cafes, council meetings, informal gatherings, and group dinners. Without a doubt, we have broadened our minds by sharing experiences and working to advance the PTPI mission of Peace through Understanding. We have also enjoyed interacting with students from many countries, including the USA, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, Armenia, Germany, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Kenya, Taiwan, Switzerland, Mongolia, Togo, Albania, and Estonia. We are impressed by their insights, energy, and friendliness. The dedication of many PTPI students to their humanitarian efforts, despite the challenges many face doing things that we as Americans take for granted, is inspirational. We are proud to consider ourselves friends of such wonderful people. PTPI has taught us that no matter where you were born or where you live, we are all equal members of a global family.
Mary and Mike Hermida – North Carolina, USA