Kelheim Kids Visit Effingham County

A group of 44 high school students from the Kelheim, Germany area are visiting Effingham County, part of an exchange that has gone on for a number of years.

The exchange was the brainchild of Ralph Ruppel, a Vincennes, Indiana man proud of his German heritage who developed exchange programs not only with Kelheim and Effingham County, but with a number of German and American communities. While Ruppel died in 2012 at age 77, the exchange program has continued. Students from Kelheim come to Effingham County and live with host families, and then Effingham County students travel to Kelheim the following year for a similar stay. Students say the exchanges work since they stay with host families, rather than in a hotel.

The Kelheim kids were guests at the Effingham Noon Rotary Club on September 16, talking about their experiences and noting the kindness and friendliness of Effingham County residents. Some of the students are staying at the homes of County kids they hosted last year.