People to People International, El Dorado County Chapter
Our Mission
OUR MISSION is to enhance international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural, and humanitarian activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences directly among peoples of different countries and diverse cultures. We are a local chapter of People to People International.
Our Sister City
For almost 50 years, we have been a sister city/county with Warabi, Japan. Initially started in preparation for the Bicenntennial in 1976, our county and the city of Warabi mutually agreed to share their cultures through exchanges.
We are planning a visit to Warabi in the Fall, 2025 to celebrate our 50th Anniversary with our Sister City. Consider joining us soon to guarantee your opportunity to participate.
We are also hosting our Sister City in Spring 2025 as part of the 50th Anniversary.
Youth Summits
2024 Youth Program Was A Success!
Beginning in 2003, Warabi suggested a youth exchange as they believed the youth are our mutual future so the first group of El Dorado County youths traveled to Warabi and we have hosted Japanese youths also.
Our most recent exchange was a success. Ten Japanese youths and 3 adult chaperone were here with 12 Host Families. Our guests arrived on Monday, July 22 and got up with jet lag and rafted down the American River with American Whitewater Expeditions. They spent the night sleeping to the sound of the American River and woke up to a tour of Coloma. Many more activities were planned, along with special time with their host families for the weekend. Many memories and friendships happened with these experiences.
Then following our visit here, we will send 15-20 youths to Warabi, Japan to participate in their youth summit in the summer of 2026. The cost would be the flight (approximately $1,200 - 1,500) and all other expenses are paid for by our Sister City (Warabi). We are also looking for sponsors to help youths who may not be able to afford the cost of the flight.
Applications for our youth visit to Japan will be posted soon.
(Application link below for host families- you can use an editable PDF if you have Adobe Reader DC (which is free).
You can get it here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/us/en/acrobat/pdf-reader.html
Warabi Visit June, 2019
Welcome Party
A visit to Carmel
A visit to Carmel
One of our members, Marlyn Pino-Jones hosted our welcome party for our Warabi guests with an amazing array of delicious finger foods and wine provided by Ceilo Estate Winery, Bumgarner Winery, and Lewis Grace Winery. Delectable juices were provided by Barsotti Ranch.
A visit to Carmel
A visit to Carmel
A visit to Carmel
As part of the exchange visit, our Warabi guests and some of our members spent two days in Monterey/Carmel. The weather was perfect, the visit to the Carmel Mission was informative and peaceful, followed by a Mediterranean dinner.
Monterey tour
A visit to Carmel
Monterey tour
Our group toured Monterey and experienced a very interesting tour of Colton Hall, where California's first Constitution was drafted in October 1849. We also spent time at Cannery Row, many having a delicious seafood meal.
Wakafest 150
Time with Host Families
Monterey tour
Our organization along with our Sister City Association hosted a booth at the Wakafest 150 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Wakamatsu Colony, the first Japanese colony in the U.S.
Time with Host Families
Time with Host Families
Time with Host Families
The time spent with host families creates a lifelong friendship. The stories shared about the different places everyone visited (Tahoe, Wine-tasting, San Francisco, Sacramento Train Museum, etc) always makes for an enjoyable converation.
Sayonara Party
Time with Host Families
Time with Host Families
Of course, the Sayonara Party is one of joy and sadness but we always have a fun time. The generous Barsotti Family allowed us to have the party in their beautiful backyard with music by Gene Lane and Hideo Motohashi on the saxophone.
About Us
Our founder
Okei and the Wakamatsu Colony
Many Cultural Exchanges
Myrna Hanses has been instrumental in establishing our sister city connection and maintaining it over the past 49 years. Without her direction, guidance and perserverance, we would not still be in existence.
Many Cultural Exchanges
Okei and the Wakamatsu Colony
Many Cultural Exchanges
We have shared many cultural experiences over the past 49 years and have learned much about each other. Our sister city connection has deepened our friendship, our understanding of each other's cultures, and our appreciaton of the need for these connections to maintain a peaceful world.
Okei and the Wakamatsu Colony
Okei and the Wakamatsu Colony
Okei and the Wakamatsu Colony
The first Japanese colony established in California was the Wakamatsu Colony. A young girl, Okei, came with the third group but died after only a few years. She is buried on a hillside overlooking Gold Trail School and we connect with Aizuwakamatsu, the land where the colony originated.