Sister Cities News

Passing the Baton: Anderer Dienst und Gap Year in July 2009

Christoph Franke and Laura Vibrans (Photos: Georg von der Gablentz) The German-American Dialog Center has selected a new volunteer for the August 2009 instance of the Anderer Dienst Program at the Martha O’Bryan Center in Nashville. The spot was awarded to 18-year-oldChristoph Franke from Magdeburg. He currently attends the Integrierte Gesamtschule “Willy Brandt” in Magdeburg.

In July 2009 in Magdeburg, an informal ceremony will take place to honor the changing of the guard. For Anderer Dienst Jonas Tonn will step down for Christoph Franke and Laura Vibrans will take the place of Lea Grupe in the Gap Year program. We are ecstatic that Laura Vibrans will be the second young Magdeburger to serve her gap year in Nashville. Laura is a student at the Ökumenische Domgymnasium. On August 24th, 2009 she will begin her year in Nashville working at the Preston Taylor Ministries.

The director of the Preston Taylor Ministries, Mr. Chan Sheppard, has said that he is thrilled with the job Lea has done. He has congratulated us on the selection of Lea’s replacement, Laura, and looks forward to continued cooperation. She will volunteer her time taking care of underprivileged children at the Preston Taylor Ministries (PTM), the same organization as her predecessor, Lea Grupe.

We would like to graciously thank our friends at Sister Cities of Nashville, especially Burkley Allen, Doug Berry, and Professor Joel Dark for their active and fantastic support of the Anderer Dienst in Nashville, as well as the Gap Year Program.