Three Bolivian youth will arrive in Raleigh February 25 and stay until March 7, 2009 as part of the Youth Ambassadors initiative that Partners of the , Washington, DC and the North Carolina and Cochabamba, are sponsoring. This cross-cultural exchange promotes increased mutual understanding among peoples of the . The Youth Ambassador Program is funded by the US State Department through the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. The program begins with a five day study tour of Washington, D.C. The orientation includes briefing at Partners of the international office on volunteerism, community service and promotion of educational and cultural exchanges to foster improved mutual understanding. The group participates in guided visits with the Washington, DC Partners staff. After the five days in DC, they will live in homes with Raleigh-area families, attend Broughton High School, participate in area cultural activities and meet with other youth. The experience exposes Latin American students to society, culture, institutions and citizens, expanding knowledge, and understanding among the participants and citizens and improving their English. Fabricio Suarez is from Cochabamba, Nineth Maria Miranda is from Chuquisaca (Sucre) and Firoela Palomino is from Tarija. Fabricio has an interest in natural resources, energy and environmental problems. His mother is a housewife and his father works for the public water company. Fiorela is interested in becoming a doctor and serve her community. Her mother is a housewife and her father is a farmer. Nineth wants to be a Civil Engineer. Her mother is a nurse and her father works for the local government. Fabricio will be staying with Jeff Shirley and his parents Graham and Kim. Fiorela will stay with Caitlyn Dixon and her parents Steve and Shannon and Nineth will stay with Lauren Passarelli and her mother Sheryl. There will be a Welcoming Social on February 27 at the home of Carolyn Checkley in North Raleigh and a Farewell Social on March 6 at the home of Cathy Spargo and Joe Frieda in Apex. More details about the Socials will be announced later. All host families, Partner’s members and friends are encouraged to attend. At the March 6 Farewell get-together, the Youth Ambassadors will make brief presentations about their experience in the . Other Youth Ambassadors from Bolivia are traveling to the Partners' states of Utah and Arkansas.