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Supervisor Ranalli recommending the Board receive a presentation by Janet Sambucetti, President of the El Dorado County Chapter of People to People and the youth delegates who participated in this year's People to People Youth Summit in Warabi, Japan, that provides details on the delegates' experiences as guests of the City of Warabi, Japan. (Est. Time: 20 Min.)
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The City of Warabi, Japan has been a sister city to El Dorado County and its communities since 1975. 2015 marked the 40th anniversary of this special designation.
El Dorado County has a special historical connection to Warabi through the Japanese settlers and colonists who traveled to El Dorado County to establish a tea and silk colony under the direction of John Henry Schnell. The Japanese settlers and colonists raised families, establishing a strong bond between El Dorado County and the citizens of Japan.
Through the "People to People International Program" many citizens and groups of students have exchanged visits to host families in El Dorado County and to host families in Warabi, effectively demonstrating the principles its founder, President Eisenhower, believed - that "people will make friends across, around, over and under all the natural and man-made barriers which separate them." The mission of "People to People International" is to enhance international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural, and humanitarian activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences directly among people of different countries and diverse cultures, promoting peace through understanding.
This year, the City of Warabi hosted a contingent of visitors from El Dorado County July 21 - August 1, 2018. The El Dorado County representatives served as ambassadors of friendship and emissaries for the continued commitment to the Sister City Program.
As part of the Board of Supervisors June 26, 2018, meeting (#18-0981) Linda George, Founder of the El Dorado Quilt Trail Project presented to the El Dorado County Chapter of People to People International with two handmade quilted items that she created specifically for the El Dorado County delegates to present to Warabi, Japan dignitaries on behalf of El Dorado County. These items were created to demonstrate El Dorado County's appreciation to the citizens of Warabi for hosting youth from El Dorado County as part of this year's Youth Summit, and for the spirit of friendship and sharing they have demonstrated to our citizens for more than 40 years.