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These are two paragraphs from my election manifesto, which is indeed our social contract with the Cypriot people and we are glad that there are journalists who follow us every day. Rest assured that the education and health sectors are a priority for our government and that is where our efforts are focused.
It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome you today at the Presidential Palace and to participate in this important event for "Wisdom for Children", which marks 10 years of operating and offering a feeding program in 17 all-day schools and 10 kindergartens in Cyprus.
The "Cooking for Children" program is a pioneering program with multiple, positive influences on our society. Apart from the obvious support it provides to our students facing financial difficulties, through the programme - and this is an innovation - unemployed parents are employed to cook and participate in its activities.
The Cooking and Giving Program has supported and sustains the local community and economy around schools by working with local producers and, most importantly, relieves parents of a great deal of worry and anxiety.
The State and I personally stand by the side of voluntary organizations in Cyprus, they are important partners, helpers in our efforts, we approach them as fellow travellers, such as the foundation "Sophia for Children", who contribute decisively, among many other things, to the mitigation of social inequalities.
It is for this reason that I feel strongly obliged to address my warmest thanks to the "Sophia for Children" Foundation and its President Mrs. Marina Siakola, the Bank of Cyprus and all the sponsors who, through their harmonious and harmonious cooperation, not only with each other, but also with the teachers and the School Tax Offices, have managed to provide substantial support to more than 1200 children.
Allow me here to make a personal reference to the soul of "Sophia".
I had the honour and pleasure of first meeting her as Minister of Foreign Affairs, when she presented to me the work of "Sophia for Children", the multi-level work it is doing in Kenya, and the synergies that could be achieved together with the State and more specifically with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
And in this context, I will not hesitate to say that "Sophia", and Marina personally, are the worthy role model of the Ambassador of Cyprus.
And in this context, I will not hesitate to say that "Sophia", and Marina personally, are the worthy model of the Ambassador of Cyprus. Especially in a continent where the Republic of Cyprus does not have a strong diplomatic representation.
With dedication, at personal cost, with tremendous will, but often at great risk, Marina Siakola not only built the orphanage and helped hundreds of children in Kenya to live in a safe and loving environment, but tirelessly cared for their health and education.
She found doomed children, and gave them back life and opportunity.
She found children, and gave them back life and opportunity. I think there is no greater gift than that, I can't think of anything more important to offer a child. Children all over the world are children.
She has literally plowed through Kenya, she has gone into prisons and hospitals, she has walked into very dangerous areas of the country, looking for these children, who are not children of a lesser god, they are children of all of us.
She cared for them - and I, like everyone else, I'm sure, who is here tonight - we couldn't help but support her. It was in this context that a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will be signed with the Ministry of Education in order to expand the number of children participating in such programmes, which will be covered by the Cypriot State.
Solidarity towards our fellow human beings, empathy, was and is the basic component of the cohesion of our society.
And volunteerism is the practical application of what we say.
Only through love for our fellow man, daily concern for our neighbour who is being tested and struggling to survive, can we create a better, more equal world.
Your action, therefore, is an example for all of us, and a great honour for our country.
I would like to thank you again and ask you to continue, because your contribution makes a decisive contribution to the common effort to combat any social pathologies.
I personally and the State are on your side.
(PM/EP/EXP)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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