Visa problems scuttles African exchange program

Bureaucratic delays have resulted in the cancellation of the North Bay end of an international student exchange.

Gord Tanner, project supervisor for Canada World Youth, said today that 12 students from Tanzania and Kenya will not be coming to the city due to “ongoing problems” trying to secure visas for them.

Tanner said delays at the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi meant the African students wouldn’t have been able to receive visas in time for the program.

“Because of that we’ve had to cancel the Canadian end of the project and, as such, we will not be welcoming a team to North Bay this year,” Tanner said.

“The overseas component of this program is going ahead so that the young people recruited will still have a unique learning opportunity to experience. We hope that with some time we will be able to address the visa problems we were encountering so as to return to North Bay next year with another team. “

Tanner said he wants to thank everyone that has shown interest and support in this year's program.

“I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have offered to be hosts, work placements, or volunteer in numerous other ways. I have really enjoyed my time here meeting everyone,” Tanner said.

Six students from across Canada will be traveling to East Africa on the exchange, though none are from North Bay area.