Rotary Peace scholar

April Klassen grew up in the Fraser Valley, but has found herself impassioned by the opportunities of a global world. The cultural exchanges she embraced as a youth led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in International Studies at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby. Upon completing her degree, the next 10 years of her life were spent working and volunteering with NGO’s in the areas of global development, and peacemaking. She has worked in France, Turkey, Iraq, Burundi, Bangladesh and Cambodia amongst other countries. Working with refugee and migrant families has become one of her greatest joys. To see community bridge culture, language and conflict is what drives her to want to continue in this particular field. Receiving a Rotary Peace Fellowship, she hopes, will help equip her in her work to walk alongside women and youth in areas of conflict. She is grateful and humbled by the support she has already received and desires to multiply the investment in her own life, into the lives of others.