Dear Mr.Artemiou on behalf of the "Alkinoos Artemiou" Foundation,
Dear children,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are gathered here today to discover the superheroes and superheroines of our everyday life... to see how much love can be hidden in the mantle of a superhero or superheroine... And to see how we could change the world through a few pages...
It is indeed with great pleasure and emotion that I welcome you here at the House of Citizens, the House of Representatives, to announce the results of the two competitions announced by the "Alkinoos Artemius" Foundation. The art competition for the construction of the "Cloak of the Superhero of Love" and the student competition for the writing of a fairy tale, short story or even a teenage short story, co-organised with the Cyprus Association of Children's and Young People's Books, on the theme "I want to change the world". Two initiatives - in the framework of the Foundation's actions - of great importance that have been successful, as more than 120 mantles have been sent from primary schools on our island and more than 150 stories and short stories, with our children demonstrating once again, by participating, the developed humanitarian sense of solidarity. And what more significant and meaningful, to have chosen today for this - the World Children's Day.
Through these competitions, the participating children used the opportunity to convey their positive energy and strength through art and writing, first of all to the children who are hospitalized, but also to all those who have dedicated their lives to the care and support of children with oncological and haematological diseases: to the parents, relatives, friends, doctors and nurses, who fight this hard fight every day with the children against an unpredictable enemy. These are true superheroes and superheroines, who give their life and limb continuously, without stopping, in a battle of life and death. They know that every day, every hour can bring small victories and great victories. But at the same time, they know that there is a chance that their struggle will not be crowned with success. And yet every day they put on their own superhero/superheroine cloak, either mentally or in the form of their work attire, and go down to face whatever fate sends their way. They surpass human limits in physical and mental endurance, with self-denial and beyond the demands of their duties, they continue their struggle, painting smiles on the most beautiful and purest canvas in the world: the child's face.
To be able to give their best every day in this titanic task, they take strength and courage from the strength, patience and dignity of the children they defend.
To be able to give their best every day in this titanic task, they take strength and courage from the strength, patience and dignity of the children they defend. From the bravery of those little angels whose illness can only bring the body to its knees. The spirit of the children, despite physical strain, pain and suffering, remains unbowed and strong. With their strength, our little fighters and our little fighters give us every day the riches of their innocent souls: kindness, giving, love. Their patience and positivity forces us to move forward. Their fortitude and strength become our driving force.
In order to be worthy of them, to be able to look these little miracles in the eye, we in turn must do our part in the fight against oncological and haematological diseases. And if the clinical part belongs to the doctors and specialists, we must take action to make the lives of both the children and their families just a little bit better. To show the children and their families that they are not alone in that hospital room. That all of us, known and known, unknown and unknown, are by their side. The Foundation was established in memory of little Alkinoos Artemios, the little hero of life who passed away on December 9, 2020, a few weeks before he turned nine years old.
The Foundation's mission is to assist, together with other relevant organizations and services, in making the life and care of children who are hospitalized in oncology - haematology clinics in Cyprus and abroad, as well as their families, more qualitative, more pleasant and more comforting. Through various actions and programmes, the Foundation provides services and facilities to young patients and their families, improving the conditions of their stay in the care units by creating a digital library, upgrading the equipment and infrastructure, supporting the scientists who support the children, and providing financial support to the children and their families.
Mr Artemis Artemiou's invitation to host the event in the Parliament and to put it under my patronage as Speaker of the Parliament is a great honour both for me and for the Parliament, as we are given the opportunity to assist a humane and selfless cause. We are therefore delighted to open the doors of the Citizen's House today, where from today and for the next few days the children's creations will be on display.
Mr Artemiou, I truly congratulate you on the great and noble work that you and the volunteers of the Foundation are doing and I convey to you the love and support of all the members of the House. At the same time, I congratulate all the children for their creations, whether they are distinguished or not. Each one of them and all of them together express the purest, purest form of love, kindness and humanity. They are windows into the most beautiful world there is, the child's soul.
Again, congratulations to all and welcome to the House of Representatives.
(Text as sent from the House of Representatives)
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