Servas Germany will host the 4th international meeting for Servas Activists from Europe, Middle East and Africa to discuss “How to gain more members, more younger members, more active members”. The meeting will be held January 30 thru February 2nd in Weisbaden (new Frankfurt). Anyone who is active in the national Servas organization and has a function as National Secretary, Vice President, Treasurer, Peace, Youth or Family Secretary, or is an active Servas member under the age of 35 is eligible to participate.

You can find all the details about this event in the following PDF:

Conference of the Servas European Groups

by Bill Magargal

Here is your chance to celebrate the creativity and unique experiences shared by our global Servas family. From heartfelt stories to beautifully captured videos, these entries embody the theme: My Fantastic Servas Experience. We announced this competition earlier in the year; now is your opportunity to see just how interesting and creative Servas members are. 

Click this link Written Stories to view the selection of written entries. There are 33 great tales, each with a unique view of Servas. Although a bit daunting in number, many of them are very interesting reads. Double-click on a story link to read it. Be sure to note the two-digit prefix to the entry you like the most. That is the number you will enter as your voting choice.

Likewise, click this link Video Stories to view the video entries. I am a visual person, so I particularly enjoyed the videos. They ranged from a solo guitar performance of an original Servas song, to visually appealing travelogs and heartfelt peace projects. After you’ve viewed them, be sure to note the number of the video to vote for the one you like most.

Vote: Each Servas member may cast 1 vote per category, i.e. Best Written Story, and Best Video. The deadline for voting is December 22^nd, 2024. Click Here to vote: Use this password to log in to the ballot: @heyServas1973

We give rave reviews to the people who initiated and oversaw this inaugural event. We hope it becomes a regular part of Servas. 

Now is the time to plan your winter get-away trip to Costa Rica for the first-ever Servas Pan Americas Conference February 6-9, 2025. Airfares are still relatively cheap (approx. $400 r/t from Philadelphia). Also, for some reason December 3^rd is usually the best day of the year to purchase airline tickets. There are still spots available at the venue. February is summertime in Costa Rica, so you only need light-weight summer clothes... except February 8, when we will visit Poás Volcano National Park (long pants, a warm shirt, jacket or rain jacket, sturdy shoes recommended).

The conference is being hosted by Servas Costa Rica at  Casa de Espiritualidad San Benito about 23 km northwest of San Jose, and only 8km from the Juan Santamaria international airport. San Benito has common and individual dormitories, large green spaces, a prayer chapel, parking, bathrooms with hot water, drinking water, Wi-Fi and food service. The venue works with 110 volts of electricity.

The cost is $275 USD per person which includes accommodation at the San Benito House of Spirituality, all meals, and a day tour of Lapaz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Park. The purpose of this event is to strengthen the bonds and communication channels between our respective Servas groups, with an additional focus on climate issues. (See article in this issue on the Floods in Spain). 

Agenda

1. (Feb 6) After Lunch - Welcome presentations by Servas International and Servas Costa Rica.
2. (Feb. 7) Presentations by regional groups.
3. (Feb. 8) Day Trip- early breakfast then bus to Poás Volcano National Park .
4. (Feb. 9) Morning - conference conclusion after lunch.

For more information click Conference Details. This includes how to reach the venue, a more detailed agenda, details about the day trip and more information about the San Benito venue. Note - you will be asked to log in to Servas International to view this. To attend the conference click the Registration Form, fill in the information, then click "Submit."

Conference attendance is limited to a maximum of 75 people. Sign up now to reserve your place for this peaceful retreat and enjoy summer in the winter. 

from Servas International & Wikipedia

On October 29, 2024, torrential rains caused by a *DANA (upper-level isolated atmospheric depression) brought over a year's worth of precipitation within 24 hours to several areas in eastern Spain. The resulting floodwaters caused the deaths of 226 people, with 14 missing and substantial property damage. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in Spanish history.

We, the Servas International community, extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and communities affected by the devastating floods caused by the DANA storm in Spain, in the regions of Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha and Andalucía. Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones, endured injuries, or suffered significant damage to their homes and livelihoods. We stand in solidarity with all those impacted during this difficult time and offer our deepest sympathies.

In the face of such hardship, it is inspiring to see communities coming together to support one another. To the emergency responders and volunteers, including our brave Servas Spain members, tirelessly working to provide relief and aid, we offer our profound gratitude for your courage and dedication. We are united in our commitment to helping rebuild and restore the affected areas, supporting those in need, and standing alongside Spain in its recovery.”

Cars destroyed by the storm DANA in a street of Valencia. Source of the picture: unknown

Official channels to donate and help with DANA relief (information taken from Maldita.es is listed below.)

Be wary of links or messages circulating on social networks if their origin is not clear and analyze who is behind them. Authorities, public entities and other organizations involved in the work of caring for victims have set up official channels to transfer donations and provide other types of help.

• The Red Cross (Cruz Roja) has activated a Donation Page

• Cártitas Valencia and Cárias Albacete have a website to transfer monetary donations ( Graves inundaciones en España | Cáritas) and have opened two bank accounts and a number to make donations via Bizum.

• Bizum has published a thread detailing all the organizations and entities that are receiving donations at This Website. Caritas and the Red Cross are included.

*DANA: A weather phenomenon that occurs when cold air in the upper atmosphere meets warm air from the Mediterranean Sea, causing heavy rain, flash floods, hail, and tornadoes. The term is a Spanish acronym that stands for Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos, which translates to "upper-level isolated atmospheric depression."

March 21-23 2025

Join Servas Japan for an exciting 3-day Spring Camp, where Servas members from around the globe come together to connect and share experiences! Hosted by Servas Youth Japan, this event is open to all Servas members.

It will be held in the beautiful old city of Kyoto when the cherry trees are in bloom. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to forge lasting friendships and be part of a vibrant global community!

For more information, please click here

Registration Form

by Deirdre Araujo

Last January (2023), I joined the 6th annual East Asia Servas online meeting where I met Servas members from around Asia. These new relationships led to many meaningful in real life exchanges.

What began as simple email exchanges with JoJo Jen and Emily Liu about my upcoming trip to Taiwan blossomed during the 6th annual East Asia Servas online meeting. I was captivated by Polly Chan’s insights and glimpses of Hong Kong’s natural beauty. Then I was able to be Terry Chen’s San Francisco day host and prepared for my East Asia sojourn with virtual language lessons with Emily’s daughter, Arielle, in Shanghai.

Once in Taipei my contacts made it possible for me to volunteer at a senior center with JoJo. Later, I reunited with Terry for lunch. Who knew just a few months later, I’d host the Hong Kong keynote speaker, Polly Chan, here in California?

While many in Servas are fortunate to travel, there are many who would still like to travel but face mobility challenges or have environmental concerns. However, they still want the connections and stories. I believe this opens an opportunity for US Servas to provide armchair travel and robust Servas-led virtual programming. (It could be more inclusive and easier on the planet.) By enhancing our virtual programming, we can engage more Servas members both near and far — and continue weaving connections for peace.

Here is a link to the video that was recorded during the East Asia Virtual Meeting. It was a very enthusiastic gathering of 100+ Servas members from every continent but Antarctica. One simple thing I enjoyed during the conference was the opening exercise led by Mei Wang, co Peace Secretary of Servas International. She had the virtual attendees from each Servas group call out their traditional word for "Welcome / Hello" in their language. That word was the put up on the screen transliterated to English for all to see (see image below).

by Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh

US Servas members Jacqueline Barnhardt and Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh along with Servas members from Italy, Taiwan, Mexico, Turkey, Kenya, and England, will be volunteering at the first Ugandan Peace School from August 25-30. Buyoga is a small village located 20 miles away from Masaka city ( see map). The village is well known for coffee and matoke. The people of the village are mostly subsistence farmers, and, in every home, there are some domestic birds.

The Peace School was organized by Uganda Servas Peace Secretary Prossy Nampijja for the village area which has about 80 children and teens. The program is modeled after the Peace School in Türkiye where Mr. Nampijja volunteered for several years. The philosophy behind the school is that every person has something to teach, and every piece of knowledge is precious. A baker teaches how to make bread, the villagers teach making tomato paste, some people teach math, astronomy, yoga, art, folk dances, French, Arabic or an indigenous African or American language, etc. That means every person can volunteer in this school, teach and learn.

by Karen Morian, US Peace Secretary 

Servas International is holding its first "Best Servas Story" competition. There are two separate categories, one for a written story, and one for Video. We hope the stories will capture the essence and joy of Servas traveling and hosting. Submissions officially open on September 8th, so whether you're a traveler or a host, we want to hear about your unique Servas experiences. Share your stories and showcase your creativity for a chance to shine in our global community.

Best Creation Prize: Two awards will be presented, one for a written story, and another for best video. Each award includes:

• Free Entry to SICOGA 2025: Winners will receive complimentary entry to the next Servas International Conference and General Assembly in Dijon, France. (Please note: Winners are responsible for their own travel expenses.)
• Publication Opportunities: Your work will be featured on the Servas website, social media, and in the Servas International News Bulletin (SINB).
• Award Certificate: Presented by the President of Servas.

Read more: What is SICOGA?  Looking for more concrete info? Check our most recent general assembly - SICOGA 2022 in India.

Special Mention by Servas Members: Several "Special Mention" awards will be given to written and video entries. Each award includes:

• Servas Goodie Package: Enjoy a selection of Servas merchandise.
• Publication Opportunities: Your story or video will be showcased across Servas platforms.
• Award Certificate: Presented by the President of Servas.

Key Dates: 

• ·      Submissions Start Date: September 8th
• ·      Submissions Deadline: October 25th
• ·      Results announced Dec. 8th, 2024

•  

  How to Participate:

• ·      Write a Story: Share a memorable Servas experience.
• ·      Create a Video: Capture your story visually.
• ·      Visit the Servas My Fantastic Story webpage for guidelines and submission details.
• ·      Use the Submission Form to send us your story 

If you have any questions please email us at storytelling.servas@gmail.com.

We look forward to your submissions!

by Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh

August 19th was the last day of the Servas Africa Meeting held north of Mombasa Kenya at the Jumuia Conference and Beach Resort included a stop at the Bomburi Forest. Members donated enough money for 70 trees and were able to plant 50 in this restoration project. Servas Italy members Franca Giovanna and Piero Girolodo organized the donation of funds to repair a school in the village nearby the conference location and a home for a mother of six. Local Servas Kenya member, Perry Thoya, a local contractor and will report progress back to the group who attended the conference.

Pictured in the first tree planting from left to right is (1) Philip Olero, Servas Kenya National Secretary, (2) Fidel Rutayisire, Servas Rwanda National Secretary, (3) Radha Radhakrishna, Servas US and Servas International President, (4) Ahmed Salem, Egypt, (5) Perry Thoya Servas Kenya, (6) Wen-Chi Liu, Servas Taiwan.  

US Servas members attending the conference were from California, Connecticut and Nebraska: Jacqueline Barnhardt, Devon and Nichole Burke, Jeff Epler, Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh, Ingrid Kirst, Paige LaCombe, Rhada Radhakrishna and Wooly Wooldridge.  

see US Servas Plants Trees

Nov. 14-18 "In tune with the environment"

Servas Brazil and Servas Uruguay are hosting the Latin American and Caribbean Servas Meeting (LATAM 2024) in Parque das Laranjeiras, Três Coroas city, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil from November 14th to 18th, 2024. The conference theme is In Tune With the Environment, which demonstrates our concern for the health of our planet and the future of the next generations, drawing members attention to care for the environment. This meeting is part of a series of celebrations for the 75th anniversary of Servas International (1949/2024).

For complete details about this event log in to Servas International, then choose [Events] => [Upcoming Events] from the top menu. Scroll down to the event (organized by date) and click on it. Click this Pre-Register link to sign up for the conference.