SEASON 2013-14
ISSUE 08
ROTARACTION CYPRUS ROTARACT NEWSLETTER
District 2452 Armenia|Bahrain|Cyprus|Georgia|Jordan|Lebanon|Palestine|Sudan|United Arab Emirates
SEASON 2013-14
ISSUE 08
Greeting
ROTARACTION CYPRUS ROTARACT NEWSLETTER
Fellow Rotaractors
The Team It is with great pleasure that I have this opportunity as the Vice District Rotaract Representative of Cyprus to write this few words for my fellow Rotaractors.
DRR: Vincent Fayad
drr2452@gmail.com
When I have first joined Rotaract, It felt like walking into an unknown world – as human beings – we often don’t have the courage to realize the realities of our times, which are indeed cruel and very un pleasant.
PDRR: Elena Aroti
drrep2450@gmail.com
Cyprus VDRR: Kyriacos Christofides
Since the time I have joined two and a half years ago ,the time flew by, meeting after meeting, event after event and that nice calendar application on my phone seized to be decorative and actually served its purpose! In Rotaract you are always thinking, about people who lack the basic necessities of life, such us not enough food to eat, lac of basic health care and basic education.
christofidisk@me.com
Cyprus PR Coordinator Chief Editor: Hannah Mortaga hannahmortaga@gmail.com
Taking into consideration the above, I feel that Rotaract is the beacon for bringing people like you and me together to work as one towards projects with common goals. With such great cause you forget about being tired, travelling from city to city straight after from work. The anticipation of time which I will sit with my fellow Rotaractors and plan ahead - plan the future is simply exhilarating.
Creative Advisor Mishel Fayad
contact@mishelfayad.com
Editorial We are delighted to present the third issue of ROTARACTION for the Rotaract Year, 2013-2014.
With such busy schedule for almost every Rotaractor, we often forget to allow some time for us to reflect our actions, how those impacted our local communities, how did Rotaract changed us to better persons.
In this issue, meet Cyprus VDRR, Kyriacos
Christofides,
find
out
more about Bahrain and Rotaract in Bahrain, and review the November events of all Rotaract clubs and more.
It has been a struggle for some clubs but each club, president, board and Rotaractor is never alone. Knowing that I am a part of such an immerse network of young professionals exhilarates me and pushes me to go further, be part of greater projects.
Here we would like to give special thanks to Charis Michael for the ‘did you know section’. We hope you enjoy reading! | ROTARACTION | ISSUE 08 | 2
I would like you to take a moment and think how many experiences, acquaintances and
knowledge you have gained out this organization, we even have numerous instances that found true love through Rotaract (myself included). I believe that Rotaract is bringing together GOOD people with same mind-set sharing the same vision. It is not a coincidence that Paul Harris, when he began Rotary a century ago, decided for everyone to be called with their first name, the reason is simple. In Rotary and Rotaract we are all friends. Age does not matter, old or young Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interac-
tors or Innerwheel. Let’s not forget that the purpose of Rotaract and Rotary in general is to bring GOOD people together for a GOOD cause. I would like to push every Rotaractor in Cyprus to be a ROTARACTOR and not just a Rotaract Members, in Rotaract we play hard and we want our actions to be sound and effective. I would like to thank every single one of you for helping me help others. Kyriacos Christofides Vice District Rotaract Representative 2013-2014
Did you
know?
2
1
Rotary members have persevered in the fight for Polio since 1979 and have now helped eradicate polio in all but three countries worldwide.
Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.
3
You can buy Rotary products at http://shop.rotary.org
3 | ISSUE 08 | ROTARACTION |
Celebrating
Bahrain
Bahrain’s uniqueness relates to its longstanding past, natural resources and multicultural society. Home to the long praised civilization of Dilmun, the Bahrain archipelago has always been assimilated with an earthly paradise and a vigorous market place. Its lustrous gardens, abundant water and exquisite pearls have always captured the attentions of travelers
throughout time. Manama, the capital, is a city of multilingual people, different colour faces, fascinating architecture, transparent heritage and engaging culture. Cities that aren’t blessed with culture will have no luck with tourism either. Only a city with culture can explain itself, interest others and change over time. Bahrain is an Arabic word meaning ‘two seas’, which refers to the island’s twin sources of water: the surrounding Arabian Gulf and the nation’s fresh springs. Since ancient times, Bahrain has been a key trading hub in the Arabian Gulf. Home to a cosmopolitan mix of nationalities and faiths, the
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country is a major financial and business centre, as well as a growing tourist destination.
Small but memorable…. Bahrain is the smallest Arab state, with a population of 1.05 million within an area of 750 km2 Bahrain’s
civilization
dates
back to 4000 years ago, known as the Dilmun civilization Bahraini pearls are amongst the rarest in the world; El Bahrain in Arabic means the “two seas” referring to the unique phenomenon where fresh water springs burst out in the middle of the Arabian Gulf, creating the natural habitat for the rarest types of natural pearls.
without finance through drives and volunteering at different institutes. We have completed our Clothing Drive in collaboration with a local volunteer organization called Helping Hands to guide us to worker camps in different villages where we distributed much needed clothing.
Our club was established on 1st January 2013 under the sponsorship of the three Rotary clubs in Bahrain. Rotaract Bahrain is part of the nine countries that make up District 2452. We at Rotaract Bahrain strive to be “True Partners in Service” with our distinguished twins. Our club was established on 1st January 2013 under the sponsorship of the three Rotary clubs in Bahrain, namely Rotary Club of Manama, Rotary Club of Sulmaniya & Rotary Club of Adliya. We currently have 25 active members and there are many young working professionals waiting to join as word of our successes start to spread.
tertain these beautiful children. Currently we are working on sending aid to the Philippines to help with the Haiyan Typhoon victims in the island of Leyte in partnership with the Rotaract Club of San Juan. We will place drop-off boxes in major malls and supermarkets for donations of food, clothing, and products of personal hygiene. We are also in contact with the Philippine Embassy of Bahrain to arrange for free shipping. We have volunteered at events for orphans and at special needs centers where we only had to provide our time to en-
Our hope is to have a successful collection and send the aid as soon as possible.
As a relatively new club with small capital, we accomplish most of our current projects 5 | ISSUE 08 | ROTARACTION |
Rotaract Club Kyrenia Liman
Tea Party of Kyrenia Liman Clubs On the 30th of November, we organised a tea party and invited Rotary, Innerwheel and Interact Clubs of Kyrenia Liman. The main aim was to get to know each other better. We Rotaractors join some Rotary meetings but it is not same as to meet in more comfortable places. We decorated the meeting room appropriately to make it feel more comfortable and make everyone
feel like home. They were very
all Kyrenia Liman Projects for
comfortable and chatted with
this term. They all congratulat-
each other all evening. Presi-
ed Rotaractors and promised to
dent Vasviye Baltaci presented
support us more.
Second-hand Clothes Sale Bazaar On the 9th of November, Saturday, we organised a 2nd hand clothes sale. All members collected used clothes from their families and friends. People love to donate clothes as they get rid of old clothes and at the same time help others in need. We managed to collect a full room of 2nd hand clothes and shoes from all members. We were selling for very cheap prices in old and poor areas including the old town Nicosia and Kyrenia. The money collected from the bazaar will be used to support homeless children. In this way, we sup| ROTARACTION | ISSUE 08 | 6
ported some of the locals in that area that can’t afford to buy normal priced clothes. A famous local newspaper also published us on the first page of their newspaper.
Rotaract Club Nicosia
The Concept of Volunteering in Modern Society “Declaration of the rights and responsibilities of volunteers and voluntary organisations”, copies of whichwere handed-out to all participants.
As part of the ongoing training, education and development of its members and the general public, Rotaract Club of Nicosia organised on 5/11/2013 at the EU House, a Professional Development event titled “The Concept of Volunteering in Modern Society”. The Commissioner for Volunteering and NGOs, Mr.Yiannis Yiannaki, introduced this newly established position and explained his main duties and responsibilities. Mr Yiannaki also presented the
Mrs. Nadia Karayianni, board member of the NGO Support Centre and an active volunteer for several years, elaborated on the concept of “volunteerism”. She presented the Centre’s philosophy and their upcoming projects. She shared her own experiences and noted the difficulties NGOs are faced with during the ongoing economic crisis. She further stressed the fact that in the last couple of years Cypriot society has made a remarkable progress in developing volunteerism, but there remain improvements to be made in this respect. The Red Cross Representative, Mr.George Frantzis elaborated on the new strategies they are in the
process of implementing in order to modernise and better-organise the Red Cross. He placed emphasis on the importance of cultivating a culture of volunteerism in Cyprus and highlighted the benefits of being a volunteer. Mrs Karayianni and Mr Frantzis expressed their interest in a future cooperation with our Club, which was noted by the Commissioner with pleasure. In the Commissioner’s view we, as Rotaractors, have a very important role, as representatives of the new generation and as active members of the society, in effecting a change in this field. In the end, Club President Niovi Georgiades awarded, on behalf of our Club, the Certificates of Appreciation to the speakers and promised that us Rotaractors, will do our best to promote and develop volunteerism in Cyprus.
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Rotaract Club Nicosia
Rotaract Club Of Nicosia 24th Birthday Party On the evening of 15th November, Rotaract Club of Nicosia celebrated its 24th birthday at “Ala Ellinika” tavern. The fiesta started with a brief video projection which highlighted our Rotaract moments and reminded us all how amazing it is to be a part of this team!
The members of our Club, to-
of the night was the pinning of
gether with our Rotarians, en-
our three new members Anto-
joyed a delicious meze dinner
nis Kalimeris, Niki Chrysanthou
and showed off their moves on
and Yiannis Giannelakis.
the dance floor. The highlight
International Project «One World Cook book» Rotaract Club of Nicosia took part in the International Project “One World Cook book” organized by the Rotaract Club of Aberdeen. The aim of the project was to raise awareness to high-school students, regarding the importance of preparing food, as nowadays society lacks of time and people hesitate when it comes to cooking.
In order to change this, Rotaract Club of Aberdeen has decided to create the “One world cooking book”, a book full of quick and simple cooking recipes from all over the world.
Our recipe idea was KOUPES (minced meat croquettes), which was supported by a photo as well. For the participation we got a certificate on behalf of Rotaract Club of Aberdeen.
We took part by sending a traditional Cypriot recipe with a short text on Cypriot cuisine and its uniqueness.
Rotaract Club of Aberdeen will publish all the recipes on its blog and on facebook.
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Rotaract Club Limassol Amathusia
Brainstorming Session Rotaract Limassol Amathusia
Rotaractors from all over the
freshed in bringing new mem-
organized a brainstorming ses-
District, Rotaractors that be-
bers, new projects and ideas of
sion on Sunday, 1st of Decem-
came friends forever.
teambuilding activities.
It was an excellent way to start
Also she explained not only to
Overall, we had a great after-
the month. We were honored to
us but to two prospective mem-
noon brainstorming and we
have Mrs. Christina Covotsou,
bers what is Rotaract really
look forward to our new proj-
the Deputy Governor present at
about, beyond the word Rotary
ects.
the meeting.
and Action. And
We had a short introduction of
then our brain-
each member, the reason they
storming
joined Rotaract and how the
sion began.
story began for each of them.
Each
When we were done with the
had
introductions, Mrs. Covotsou
out some ideas
told us her story, her experi-
of
ence through Rotaract, meeting
club can be re-
ber at Delloite offices.
ses-
member to how
point our
9 | ISSUE 08 | ROTARACTION |
Rotaract Club Nicosia Aspelia
Cyprus celebration as part of “Smaller World” As part of the mega twinning project named “Smaller World”, Rotaract Club Nicosia Aspelia celebrated on November 3th, 2013 the “Cyprus month”. “Smaller World” is an international project which aims to increase world understanding among the participating clubs by sharing their culture. The founding clubs of “Smaller World” are: Rotaract club of Nicosia Aspelia –Cyprus, Rotaract club of Alex-
andria East- Egypt, Rotaract club of Las Americas – Guatemala, Rotaract club of Manila Metro- Philippines, and Rotaract club of Moscow East – Russia. Among other criteria, the project requires a monthly cultural celebration of each club involved in the project. On November, club members of “Smaller World” were celebrating Cyprus. For this purpose, Rotaract Club Nicosia Aspelia organized a typical Cypriot Sunday lunch. The Aspelia family gathered at its president’s house, and enjoyed a traditional Cypriot lunch. Among other, the lunch included souvlakia, halloumi, Cypriot oven pasta, pastourmas, local beer and Zivania shots! The lunch was accompanied by Cypriot folklore music and traditional dancing. This celebration gave the chance
| ROTARACTION | ISSUE 08 | 10
to Aspelians and their guests to spend quality time together and strengthen their bonds in Rotaract. On top, the event was an excellent opportunity to present our Cypriot culture to the rest of the clubs which participate at this project. The halloumi taste and the zivania flavor travelled to Guatemala and Philippines, then reached Egypt and Moscow, and finally travelled back to our beautiful small island!
Rotaract Club Larnaca Kition
The Kitions meet the Larnaca Interacts Club, for young people up to 18 years old. In other words, Interacts are the future Rotaractors. On November the 14th, the Rotaract Club of Larnaca and Interact Club of Larnaca had a joint meeting. This was a chance for members from both clubs to get to know each other and discuss One of the aims of Rotaract
step was for Rotaractors to
Larnaca Kition for this year was
meet with Interacts.
to connect and cooperate with
For those of you that don’t
both the Interact Club and the
know what Interacts are, they
Rotary Club Larnaca. The first
are another project of Rotary
possible cooperation for future projects. The Interacts showed great interest in sharing their skills and were willing to help in any upcoming projects.
Dog Shelter Visit and welcomed us warmly. The
them old blankets to be used to
manager informed us that the
keep the dogs warm and some
shelter is currently taking care
food. The Kitions enjoyed their
of 127 dogs. It is worth saying
time walking the dogs (or more
that the shelter is run by only
specifically,
2 people and they rely on vol-
walking us), feeding them and
unteers. Members brought with
cleaning their houses.
the
dogs
On 24th of November, Rotaract Larnaca Kition visited the Aradippou Dog Shelter. On our previous meeting, visiting the shelter was voted to be our next fellowship event. The staff of the shelter as well as the manager was thrilled to have us there 11 | ISSUE 08 | ROTARACTION |
were
Rotaract Club Larnaca - Kition
Christmas Preparations ing on different handmade items that they could do to sell. It was decided that all proceeds will be donated to the Larnaca Association for People with Multiple Sclerosis. The purpose of the association is to provide assistance to people with multiple sclerosis through pharmaceutical and psychological support; to promote new scientific breakthroughs against the disease and to provide counseling to the family members of patients. The Kitions will be organizing a charity Christmas bazaar on the 22nd of December at Finikoudes, Larnaca. The members brainstormed on the meet-
assistance of some members and friends of the association, we managed to create some artistic inventions of handmade goods. It was a great team building activity that we all enjoyed and we are all looking forward to this event.
On the 30th of November, the members met at the premises of the Multiple Sclerosis Association to get creative. With the
Rotary, Rotaract & Interact under one Roof... Having all three generations under one roof was a challenge but the Kitions are always ready for new challenges. On Monday, the 25th of November, all three clubs met for a team building session. Socrates Panayi, Community Service Director, was in charge of organizing interesting team building games. We were divided into two groups that included Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interacts and discussed about different problem solving exercises that were given by Socrates.
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By the end of the session, it was interesting to see how members from each club perceived different issues differently but yet agreed on many subjects.
(festive)
A final note It is with warm feelings and thoughts that we end this issue for the year of 2013. Christmas time is a special time of the year and love, care, friendship and togetherness make this time even more unique. We hope that 2014 will be filled with great
Rotaract projects that will bring out more young professionals and be of assistance to our community. May this Christmas be so special that you never ever feel lonely again and be surrounded by loved ones throughout the year!
Have a Great Christmas Time!
SEASON 2013 - 14
ISSUE 08
ROTARACTION CYPRUS ROTARACT NEWSLETTER
This is the Official monthly Cyprus Rotaract Newsletter. For any suggestions, ideas or thoughts about the uproming issues, please contact us directly at hannahmortaga@gmail.com or contact@mishelfayad.com