Host Family Memories: We have gained as much as we have given!

In Memory of Sybil and Gordon Jenkins and Their Wonderful Global Family

Sybil (Mum) recently passed away and AFS NZ discovered this through a current hosting family in Levin reading about the amazing contribution Sybil, Gordon (Dad, deceased) and their two girls Glenys and Wendy had made to AFS New Zealand. This wonderful family ended up adding nine young people from around the AFS world to their family. They were the Jenkins’ children who, until this day, have become entwined in so many ways with the family. 

This photo took pride of place in Sybil and Gordon’s home.
It shows Sybil, Gordon and all their children. 

When Glenys was asked if either she or Wendy had been AFS students she said, “Why would you go away, when the world was coming to enrich your home.” 

Sybil wrote a book about her family called ‘Together’ and said; “It is dedicated to my family and is a story about AFS. It’s the students we have hosted, our memories of those times, the excitement, experiences and knowledge we, the family, have gained during those years. Each student hosted was different, all wonderful, and each had different things to offer our family. In cultures always bear in mind, nothing is or was wrong – just different.” 

Her book ‘Together’ sums up their family and all they achieved together. Their AFS global experience began in 1979 when a young girl from the USA came to live with their ‘ordinary farming family’. At the time, Sybil says, Glenys and Wendy had quiet and shy natures and accepting AFS students into their lives meant sharing a little more. Penny was the first AFS student to embrace the Jenkins family. Penny was at school with Glenys. Next in 1980 came Kathijah from Malaysia, then in 1981 Luzia from Switzerland, 1982 Tahn from Finland, 1983 Mauricio from Chile. In 1984 the family would have taken another student, but there were not enough that year. The journey continued in 1985 with Jeanne from the USA, 1986 Joanne from Canada, 1987 Alana from the USA, and in 1988 Laite from Fiji. 

The family went on to visit a number of their students. Penny was chief bridesmaid at Glenys’ wedding, and this was reciprocated in 1986 at Penny’s wedding in the USA. The tradition was continued when Penny’s and Glenys’ youngest daughters were bridesmaids for each other. 

Glenys went with Sybil to Quebec, Finland and the USA to visit AFS family members. “Seeing how our extended family members live in their own environment and meeting the natural parents was so exciting. During this experience I learned of how appreciative the natural parents are of the time and effort we ‘Host Families’ put into having their sons and daughters live with us for their important year.

Mauricio returned to live in NZ and lived with the Jenkins family for eight months until he found his own home, which is not far from his siblings.  Laite returned to NZ to go to University. Tahn also returned for a year, and so the cycle continues. 

The Principal of Waiopehu College at the time stated, “The Jenkins family, host family of AFS students, is a very special family. Their warmth, friendliness and wonderful hospitality ensured the success of all their students. As a school we pay tribute to an exceptional family – a family that extended the hand of friendship to some very fortunate students, all who remember them well for their love and kindness.”

Gordon and Sybil became involved in AFS, not just through hosting but also through the selecting of further families and students. They believed so much in the AFS mission that even though Gordon had a disability, he was determined to share his experiences and broaden AFS’s outreach when he spoke at colleges. 

Glenys said of her AFS siblings, “I loved them. They were just like my own siblings. We had an open home, and each one was a part of our family.” 

Sybil said, “We feared, we gave, we got, we loved, and yes we all won! Them and us.” She finished her book with; “We as a family have gained as much as we have given and travelled much through having these AFSers living in our home. I hope that the little we have done in having AFS students will one day help toward understanding in the world and work towards peace”. 

The Jenkins family definitely opened their hearts and home, and we thank them for all they did to encompass the AFS Mission and Values. 

Raylene Sommerville, June 2025 

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