DEH CHO - Two young adults from the Deh Cho say a six-month exchange has been a life-changing experience for them.

Shawna McLeod of Fort Providence looks at a view of Cape Town, South Africa, while hiking on Table Mountain during her exchange with Canada World Youth. - photo courtesy of Shawna McLeod

Shawna McLeod of Fort Providence and Stevie Nande of Fort Liard both participated in exchanges to South Africa through Canada World Youth. The non-profit organization creates international education programs for youths ages 15 to 29.

McLeod, 19, went on an all-female exchange while Nande, 19, went on a co-ed exchange. Although they visited different locations both participants returned with similar insights.

"It really gave me a new perspective on life," said McLeod.

McLeod met the seven other Canadian members and the eight South African members of her exchange during an orientation in Banff, Alta., in August. McLeod was paired with Elmarie Redelinghuys for the exchange.

After the orientation the group spent the next three months in Camrose, Alta., living with host families and volunteering wherever possible. McLeod and Redelinghuys organized an event to raise awareness on HIV and AIDS and also gave presentations on health and gender and alcohol abuse, among other activities.

Meanwhile Nande had met up with his exchange group for an orientation in Vancouver where he was paired with Harvey Allen and later Khanyisa Nunga, both of South Africa. Nande's group spent their three months in Canada in the Sunshine Coast region of B.C.

For part of their volunteer efforts the group put on a play called The Podium to the Throne. During its three-day run the play raised approximately $3,000 for charity. Each exchange member also had a work placement.

Nande volunteered at a wildlife rehabilitation centre where he cleaned up and helped supervisors with injured animals including deer, eagles, owls and turtles.

In November both groups departed for their South African portion of the exchange.

McLeod's group went to Khayelitsha, a township near Cape Town where McLeod and Redelinghuys stayed with a single mother and her daughter while volunteering.

"I really learned a lot about myself and how privileged we are in the North," she said.

McLeod's host family didn't have running hot water, a shower, a flush toilet or a washing machine and dryer.

"If I wanted to survive these three months I had to accept it and live," said McLeod who adapted to having sponge baths.

McLeod spent her time volunteering at a centre where students went after school to get tutoring. She also immersed herself in the culture and the life of the community.

"It amazed me how happy these people were with that they had," she said.

McLeod said she learned she doesn't have to have everything to be happy. Her time in South Africa also gave her new insight into her own community.

"I'll be forever grateful for this experience, being exposed to that culture and that way of living," she said.

Nande spent his time in South Africa in Athlone, a town outside of Cape Town, where he helped build gardens, construct shacks and clean up the community as well as raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

"It was exciting at first," Nande said.

By the second month, however, he was homesick and dealing with culture shock. The lifestyle is different including having to wait an hour for hot water to come through the taps and not being able to eat whatever you want from the kitchen because food is limited, Nande said.

Nande, however, said he adapted by the third month partially because of the welcoming nature of the community.

"Every stranger I met there treated me like I was part of their family," he said.

Nande said because of the exchange he's learned to be more respectful to others and to appreciate things he used to overlook.

"Having a sandwich in my fridge, just little things like that I'm grateful for," he said.

While both McLeod and Nande talk enthusiastically about their exchanges they admit it wasn't easy but that they'd do parts of it again.

"It may have been hard but I've learned so many things from it," said McLeod who returned on Feb. 18.

"In the end it changed me to be a better person."

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