My 'Rotary Moment' With Victor
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Editor’s note: This year's Rotary presidential message is Create Lasting Impact, as espoused by Rotary International's 2026-27 president, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, who hails from Trans Amadi, Nigeria. This is one of an occasional feature highlighting Rotary stories that Create Lasting Impact.
By Francy Cross
I became a member of the Rotary Club of Chester in February 2002; and in August 2002 I joined the District’s Youth Exchange Committee. I’ve always had an interest in foreign languages and in working with youth. This would be the perfect committee for me.
A few years and exchange students passed by, each having their own special place in my heart. There is one particular student that made a huge impact on my life. This is the story of Victor from Brazil.
Francy Cross with Victor in Brazil in 2014 at his college graduation.
I met Victor at the airport in August 2007 when he was beginning his year as an exchange student in the USA. A few weeks later, during a Youth Exchange activity, I had the opportunity to talk with and observe him. I could tell that he was having a rough start. Since he was staying in a town close to me, I was able to keep a watchful eye on him. We spoke often, and I could see what was going well and what wasn’t. School was going well. Victor’s English was almost fluent, so he didn’t have too much difficulty in class. He developed friendships easily because he was personable and outgoing. His difficulty was with his host family. His family life here in the USA was very different from his family life in Brazil. Victor became frustrated, and that led to his unhappiness and homesickness.
I could see he was having difficulty with the host family but I didn’t know why. I needed to figure out the cause of his unhappiness. My husband and I took Victor places to show him our country and to build a relationship so we could figure out why he was not enjoying his exchange. Victor’s parents wanted to visit to see what they could do to help their son, but it was only November and parents aren’t allowed to visit until May. I discussed this with the Youth Exchange Committee, and we made an exception to the rule. I didn’t want Victor to be sent home. I saw something in him that would be worth the fight. I met his parents, Fernando and Andrea, showed them around town during their 5-day stay, and we discussed Victor.
We identified the problem – Victor was being asked to do chores, and he had no idea how to do them because he had never used a washing machine or a vacuum cleaner. He didn’t want to disappoint his host family and was embarrassed to say he didn’t know how to use the appliances. Also, he was afraid he’d break them. Well, the fix was easy. I explained this to his host family, and they showed him how to do his chores. We all felt better. Victor’s parents returned to Brazil confident that their son would have a good year, his host parents’ relationship with their new son blossomed, and I was glad that Victor would be staying and completing the exchange program.
Victor settled in well with the American holidays, school activities, outings with new friends, and teenage life. He was happy and having a wonderful youth exchange experience. I kept in contact with him to make sure his happiness and success continued. If he hadn’t heard from me in a while, he would call me.
In January 2008, my husband had a very bad fall, hitting his head and needing emergency surgery. With all that was going on, I did not have a chance to talk to Victor. He called me and when I told him what happened, he wanted to come right over as he needed to see his American Dad and to help his American Mom. I explained that I appreciated his offer, but the ICU would not allow him to visit, and I was overwhelmed with the medical situation and decisions I had to make. Victor offered to help me. What could he do? He’s just a boy. Victor insisted that he come to my house and Skype his dad in Brazil. It had slipped my mind that his dad was a doctor. With Victor translating, Fernando asked me what procedures were done and what the diagnosis and prognosis were. He then reassured me that my husband was going to be fine. As I recall this, I cannot help but tear up.
This young man who almost went home and who says that I saved him was now saving me. I was able to get through this ordeal with my Brazilian family’s help. And family is exactly the right word. We became family through Rotary.
This story of “Victor from Brazil” became the story of “Francy from the USA.” This is my Rotary Moment.
In August 2014, I had the privilege to travel to Brazil and see my son Victor graduate from college. In Brazil, at the graduation celebration, it is customary for the graduate to ask three important women in his life to dance. Victor honored me by asking me to be one of the three.
For more information about the Rotary Youth Exchange program, visit our website, exchangestudent.org or get in touch with us by contacting Sarah Tuberty at D7450youthexchange@gmail.com.
Francy Cross served as Rotary International District Governor in SE PA in 2024-25 and is currently the President of the Rotary District 7450 Gundaker Foundation.