„A friend in every country in the world …“

When I first time heard this statement back 2019 at World Congress in Estonia I was not able to imagine how much reward it will bring into my life.

As traveling and being abroad – for private or business – is not always easy. New culture, language and environment, but being a Jaycee makes a genuine difference. On the finger tip the opportunity to connect with friends you just didn’t know yet.

When exploring South Africa I used the chance to reach out to JCI Cape Town by Internet research. Soon we met up – discussed similarities and differences of our local and national organization – even touched base on how we could work on a project (twinning) together!

Hitting the road in direction Durban – my new friends informed the local organization there and before I arrived I was invited to a students orientation. Speaking in front of 400+ people at Mangosothu University of Technology about our JCI organization planting the seed for the future generation. A moment out of the comfort zone that left a deep impression on me.

Next day I got a message on my phone: South Africa National President Simphiwe Zuma inviting me to Johannesburg to promote our JCI World Congress 2023. Meeting at JCI Sandton along with South Africa National Board members we spent a wonderful evening together.

Looking back I feel very privileged visiting the rainbow nation, making new friends and granting me a challenge. To quote Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done”.

JCI Basel, Oliver Kuehnel