The Safford Lions Club recently hosted six young men from around the world as they traveled through Arizona. The youths were participating in the 27th annual C. Kirby Smithe Lions International Youth Exchange, a Lions project to promote international understanding.

Safford Lion Al Cochran and his wife, Ruby, housed Fabian Boehm, 17, of Austria and Tommi Eronen, 18, of Finland for two weeks prior to the group tour. Lions Gene and Charlene Schreur, Lion Jim Warren and his wife, Judy joined the Cochrans in entertaining the boys.

The youths in the class of 2008 were Boehm, Eronen, Chris Kuhlmann, 17, of Germany, Alessandro Fior-ucci, 17, of Italy, Sukh Enk-hlargal, 19, of Mongolia and Sarp Zorkun, 19, of Turkey. Bob Dohse of the Tanque Verde Lions and Patty Figueroa of the Catalina Oro Valley Lions chaperoned the group in its tour of Arizona.

The C. Kirby Smithe International Youth Exchange group enjoying breakfast with the Safford Lions are, front, Patty Figueroa and Bob Dohse, chaperones; back from left, Sukh Enkhlargal of Mongolia, Sarp Zorkun of Turkey, Chris Kuhlmann of Germany, Alessandro Fiorucci of Italy, Fabian Boehm of Austria and Tommi Eronen of Finland. Photo by Carolyn Vessels

The north trip began July 20 and included a jeep ride to Box Canyon in Wickenburg, sightseeing in Prescott, Sedona and the Grand Canyon, a visit to the Lions’ Camp Tatiyee for the disabled in Lakeside, horseback riding at the Porter Mountain Stables, movies and shopping. At each overnight stop, Lions in the area treated the group to dinner.

The south trip began July 28 and included sightseeing and camping out in Tombstone, visiting Fort Huachuca and the nature preserve in Sierra Vista, stargazing at the observatory, shopping and watching soccer in Nogales, Mexico, hiking on Mount Lemmon, miniature golfing in Tucson, visiting the Melvin Jones Memorial and Museum in Fort Thomas and a tour of the Morenci mine. Safford Lions President Ron Hansen said, “It didn’t look like the group was going to get the tour, but Lion Christian Bautista of the Morenci Lions made it happen. The kids got to see some things that most tours don’t get to see.”

During the Safford stop, local Lions hosted the youths and chaperones at their homes. Before the group left, all were treated to breakfast at the Main Street Café. When asked what his favorite part of the trip was, Zorkun responded, “Jeep riding in Wickenburg.”

The Cochrans said the two boys they hosted became great friends while at their home and plan to stay in touch.