By Donna Price

dprice@americanpress.com

By Donna Price

dprice@americanpress.com

Photos Special to
the American Press

In 2013, Anita Barker of Lake Charles founded the Girlie Girls Mentoring Program, a non-profit organization that reaches out to girls ages 12-18. Girlie Girls helps girls gain confidence and discover their full potential.

Starting and running a non-profi may seem like enough giving back to the community for most people, but not for Barker. Last year, she decided to extend her mentoring into the international realm by hosting a foreign student.

Barker contacted a student exchange organization to learn about hosting a teen girl from another country for a semester. A match was made with Nonlanee, a 15-year-old student from Thailand.

“Before she came to America, we connected on FaceTime daily. There was a 12-hour difference, so it would be early mornings and late nights. We learned a lot about her family and she learned a lot about ours before she even arrived,” said Barker.

The Barker family— Anita, her husband Julien and their son Caleb — welcomed Nonlanee into their home in August 2018.

The night she arrived, the family greeted Nonlanee at Lake Charles Regional Airport with flowers, balloons, posters and T-shirts.

“We wanted to welcome her with open arms,” said Barker.

When Nonlanee walked into the family’s home, she found that her new bedroom was decorated in pink, her favorite color. The room was fully stocked with puzzles, her favorite snacks and even photos of her family and friends.

“I was able to get those pictures off her social media pages,” said Barker.

Nonlanee, who came to be called Nona by the family, attended Lake Charles College Prep during her time here.

Anita loved hosting Nona. “Having a daughter was truly amazing,” she said.

Nona taught her host family a little of her native Thai language. She also cooked Thai food for them. Likewise, Nona got a taste of Louisiana cuisine while here.

“She loved my gumbo,” said Barker.

Nona and Caleb, now 12, worked lots of puzzles together and spent time playing the card game Uno.

Nona was treated like a member of the family. She referred to Anita as “Mom” and Julien as “Dad” during her stay.

Still, there were challenges. Nona was far away from home.

“She would get extremely homesick, especially during the holidays, but visiting friends and family and a little shopping always made her feel better,” said Barker.

That’s because Nona loved to shop.

“Actually, we did a lot of shopping,” Barker added.

Fridays were family night.

“We went out to eat, then enjoyed a movie or a night of bowling. We were always on the go,” said Barker. “We tried to keep her busy and occupied so she wouldn’t miss her family so much.”

After Nona returned to Thailand in December, Barker decided she wasn’t done. She became a local coordinator for International Cultural Exchange Services, a nonprofit organization that facilitates student cultural exchanges.

As a coordinator for ICES, Barker works with international students and local host families. She answers questions, gives advice and provides support. Barker also helps students or families considering becoming or hosting an exchange student.

Those with an interest in hosting a student can view available student profiles on the International Cultural Exchange Services website: www.icesusa.org.

A potential host can narrow their search to view only profiles of students from a certain country, a certain gender, a certain religion or certain interests, if they so desire.

Barker is one of eight coordinators who work under area field manager Susan Garland, a five-year ICES veteran.

According to Garland, quite a few foreign students want to come to this area.

“Many students specifically request the southern United States, and Louisiana in particular. Exchange students who have already come here help spread the word that people in the south are very hospitable and friendly, and that the food is good here,” she said.

Barker and Garland shared the following information about exchange students and host families:

l Foreign exchange students range in age from 15 to 18.

l Hosts must be at least 21, but there is no upper age limit. Hosts must have an income and be able to provide three meals a day and room and board for the student.

l Hosting isn’t limited to families. Single people can also host
a student.

“Lining up host families can be a long process,” said Garland. “Sometimes one family member, and it’s usually the father, has reservations. They hesitate to let a stranger into their home. Our organization hand-picks students, though. Their English is usually pretty good.”

ICES currently has 35 foreign exchange students placed in Louisiana.

As for the Barkers, they will be welcoming another exchange student in 2020.

“Before I hosted again, I wanted to take some time to get used to being an ICES coordinator,” said Barker.

So far, she loves it as much as she love mentoring girls.

“Mentoring is truly my passion. I am grateful to God that He blessed me with the passion to make a difference in the lives of our female youth,” said Barker.

For more information about hosting a student, becoming a foreign exchange student or working with ICES, contact Anita Barker at girliegirlsmp@gmail.com. or call her at 337-302-3725.

l

Online: www.icesusa.org