Mums with Special Angels (Cyprus) monthly meet - Paula Manoli-Gray
Dinner an opportunity for support and advice
Mums with Special Angels (Cyprus) is holding its next meeting for mothers of children with special needs on Friday, with all welcome.
Until recently, the group would meet at the toy library with their children, but the format has now changed to a monthly dinner for the mothers only, so that they can enjoy a relaxed evening of conversation, support and the exchange of ideas without the distraction of supervising the children.
The group was set up by Elena Papadopoulos two years ago after she moved to Cyprus from the UK. As a HR Consultant and Life Coach, mother of 6 year-old twins and a 4 year-old daughter with Downs Syndrome, Elena recognised the need for a support group like those in the UK; one where others would know they are not alone in facing the challenges that come with raising children with special needs.
There are currently around 10 mums from all districts of the island that attend the dinners – held at a different restaurant each month. They are of all nationalities, and have children of all ages with a variety of special needs including Down's Syndrome, autism, Aspergers, and many without a diagnosis.
On the evening, Elena facilitates the event so that mums can converse comfortably: "I normally split the table so that the mums can speak freely in their preferred language. They talk about all sorts of topics from therapies and emotional support to finances and siblings. It's basically a place where mums can talk freely and leave feeling that they are not on their own."
The group is having a real impact on the mothers that attend, as it is a valuable opportunity to talk to people who understand the issues affecting parents of special needs children, and there is even sometimes a therapist at the dinner who offers free advice and support. Elena is keen to stress that it's about support and empowerment: "The mums are a bunch of positive ladies trying to do their best for their kids, we want to make a positive difference and help our kids have a better life here in Cyprus, or wherever they want to live."
One mum of a 6 year-old autistic boy says of the experience: "Other than a great meal, I got to meet other mums that understand exactly what it feels like to have a child like mine. We discussed similar traits and differences between our children; strategies that worked or that we have tried out. We had a good old laugh at the horror stories and swapped information on doctors/therapists and diagnosis. I always leave with a great feeling of not being alone in all this". Another says: "It's a lovely evening meeting people in a similar situation to yourself, and it so nice to be with people that know what you go through on a daily basis. You leave feeling you are not alone – it's a mums therapy session."
Aside from the monthly dinners, there is also a Facebook page -Mums with Special Angels (Cyprus) – where dads are also welcomed. The group offers information and exchanges between members, as well as posts from therapists and other professionals, with all languages welcome.
Elena is always looking for volunteers who can offer their time to help the group for a few hours a week, as anyone who can offer ideas and/or activities for the children or mums.
This month's dinner will take place at 7.30pm at The Balti House, Dhekelia Road, Oroklini and costs are split between the ladies, normally around €25 per person.
You can contact Elena on: 96767625 / elenavik@hotmail.com for more information, to attend the dinner, or offer your time and help.
The Cypriot scapegoats
Child Benefits - Cyprus
- Aged under 18
- Aged 18-25 and are in the national guard
- Aged 18-23 if still attending college/university or some form of education
- Boys aged 23-25 ετών, if still attending college/university or some form of education for as much as/as long as they have spent time in the national guard of Cyprus and
- Disabled children of any age.
No of children per family
|
Basic Yearly Benefit
| Extra supplement | |
| Family Income up to 18,367.47 Euros during 2007 | Family income more than 18,367.47 up to 36,734.93 Euros during 2007 | ||
| 1 Child | 411.30 Euros | 102.82 Euros | 51.41 Euros |
| 2 Children | 822.62 | 411.30 | 308.47 |
| 3 Children (per child) | 822.61 | 308.48 | 257.06 |
| 4 + (per child) | 1357.31 | 452.43 | 282.77 |
For more information visit http://www.mof.gov.cy/ ministry of health of Cyprus. Tel. 22 804 010 for child benefit inquiries and 22 804 143 for supplement of child benefit inquiries
Address: The Ministry of Finance - Michael Karaoli & Gregori Afxentiou 1439 Nicosia
If the child has Cypriot nationality and one of the parents is Cypriot, you only need to fill the child befit form in once and it will be paid automatically each year until the child is 18.
Non Cypriots may have to request child benefit each year to ensure that the parent is still resident here and proof from the school that the child is attending there.
World of Entertainment
Where's Oscar ?
Daxi magazine
Daxi was established in April 2010 by Owner / Editor Natalie Reed. Originally a regional publication for the Famagusta community Daxi soon became a recognised lifestyle magazine attracting readers from throughout Eastern Cyprus. Daxi also enjoys a large number of international readers via the Daxi website where each monthly issue can be read in large, easy to read flip pages from anywhere in the World.
New Choking Baby Advice Given To Parents
New first aid advice on how to help a choking baby has been issued to parents.
St John Ambulance, the British Red Cross and St Andrew's First Aid have updated their advice after research suggested that many parents did not know what action to take.
The new advice is to place the baby face down along the thigh while an adult strikes the child's back.
First aid experts say this gives the baby more support compared with the previous advice, which was to place the baby along the adult's arm.
A survey of 1,000 parents of under-fives found 38% had seen their child choke.
Half of the parents said they did not know the correct way to help their child or how to clear the obstruction.
Nearly half said they avoided giving their child certain foods in case they choked.
Clive James, training officer at St John Ambulance, said: 'If an infant is choking then, in the first instance, they should be laid face down along your thigh and supported by your arm, give them five back blows between the shoulder blades with your heel of your hand.
"Previously this was done along the arm but the leg is felt to be more secure and provide more support.
"Check their mouth for any obstruction. If there is still a blockage then turn the infant onto their back and give up to five chest thrusts.
"Use two fingers, push inwards and upwards against their breastbone.
"If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest thrusts, call for an ambulance and continue until help arrives."
Rice with Lentils
Lentils with rice, known as fadji or moudjentra, is a favourite vegetarian family meal in Cyprus, my favourite way of serving fadji is with chopped tomatoes and cucumber and yogurt, some people like it with a fried egg on top or use it as a side dish with meat. I always had trouble getting this dish just right, always having either overcooked stodgy lentils or undercooked crunchy rice, I tried cooking it the oven, cooking the rice separately from the lentils, but never achieving the desired taste or consistency, until my Aunty just gave me a few simple tips and now I get perfectly cooked fadji, really delicious and a healthy satisfying meal for the whole family. Here's my recipe….
2 cups of brown lentils
1 cup of rice, I prefer to use Carolina rice, I found it seems to work better in this dish. I also tried it with brown rice which worked well, but make sure you use the short grain variety.
6 cups of water
2 onions, thinly sliced
4 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
Place lentils in a pot, just cover with water and bring to a boil. Leave to boil for a few minutes.
Drain the lentils, put back into the pot and cover with the 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil until just cooked. Lentils should still have a slight bite to them.
Add the rice and bring to a boil, for about 10 minutes.
Now, switch off the heat. Cover the pot with a clean cover and place the lid on top of the towel so that the pot is sealed well. The rice and lentils will carry on cooking this way and all the water should be absorbed.
Sautee the onions in the olive oil until they're brown and caramelised. Pour into the lentils and rice and mix.
Season with salt and pepper.
Androulla xx
Carnival Time at Fun Factory
Fun Theatre Workshop for Adults with Catherine Beger
"In the child state, there is no self-consciousness, ego, fear of social ridicule or any of the other inhibitory walls that we build around ourselves as we grow up and grow older. This kind of freedom from self-consciousness is essential, but very rarely possible with the kind of responsibilities and demands we face on a daily basis.
The evening will be a two hour theatre workshop, in which we will play and use our imagination. Through theatre games and team building improvisation the aim is to bring together a bunch of people and to engage them in the creative process of making simple stories, and to have a lot of fun in the process. No experience necessary just the will to have fun and get creative!
A dog is a dog - Paula Manoli-Gray
Photo Booth
TH.e PARTY starts HERE! There is no better way to inject fun and excitement at your next event or promotion than with our photobooth. Perfect for weddings, birthdays,company parties & promotions.
Real PEOPLE, real MOMENTS, real EMOTIONS, REAL FUN!!!
The newest & most fun way to entertain your guests & leave them and you with something to remember your... wedding, christening, birthday party, corporate event or promotion.
https://www.facebook.com/TH.e.booth.studio
Rio 2 movie music workshop for Kids
Sinful Chocolate Sauce
Major infrastructure projects will incorporate shared bicycle/pedestrian lanes - Paula Manoli-Gray
During his English talk for the Larnaca Parents Network (LPN) at the end of January, Larnaca Mayor – Andreas Louroutziatis - outlined the major infrastructure projects taking place in the town, which include a large network of bicycle lanes.
The mayor and his Municipal Council approved four pillars at the start of their term - Development, Employment, Efficiency and Social Solidarity. As the mayor explained, the first pillar is concerned with improving the town's infrastructure: "By development we mean the development of infrastructure and major projects; the quality of the citizens' daily life in terms of pedestrian sidewalks, and the ability to move; more greenery in the town, and the development of different aspects that signify quality of life for citizens."
The redesign of Piale Pasha – which connects the Finikoudes promenade with the area of Mckenzie - is one of the projects currently taking place, and is due to finish by the end of June this year. The mayor admitted that the project is not without its problems: "Piale Pashia is a challenge. It was designed without taking parking (for residents and delivery trucks) into consideration and we are currently looking at options to resolve this issue, one of which is plots in the area that could be used for resident parking."
The major roadworks that are taking place in the area of the stadium down to the cinema are due to finish in September and will incorporate bicycle lanes. The redesign of Pallas Square (near Cyta's main building) will begin in September and finish in April 2014, making the road one-way. Bicycle lanes will also be added to areas that are not going to be reconstructed such as Artemidos Avenue (the old airport road), and the Limassol road. All in all, the bicycle network will total 52 kilometres and will be significant in facilitating movement, as well as encouraging the environmentally positive practice of using bicycles over cars by making riding both safer and easier. Many of the bicycle lanes will serve as shared lanes with pedestrians, thus also making walking safer and more pleasant.
First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly - 08/02/14
Mayor’s talk reveals Larnaca plans - Paula Manoli-Gray
English Q+A time frank and informative
Larnaca mayor – Andreas Louroutziatis – gave a frank and informative talk in English at the end of January, where he revealed his personal goals for the town and answered the audience's questions on a number of topics.
The 'Talk of The Town' event was organised by the Larnaca Parents Network (LPN) -which is a non-profit organisation that aims to provide parents and caregivers of Larnaca with events, advice and information. Taking place at the Civil Marriages hall, the packed audience included citizens of all nationalities and age groups, with primary focus on the town's lack of hotels and major development plans such as the proposed marina and Piale Pashia road.
The mayor began his talk by explaining the vision that he and the council set of a Larnaca that is a "vibrant European city with traditional character; a city of choice – where people consciously choose to live…the idea is to develop the city and create this image of a quality of life."
With this in mind, a variety of projects have been set in motion with the aim of improving infrastructure, increasing greenery, facilitating mobility and transportation, and the biggest vision of all – the creation of a unified promenade starting from Dhekelia Road and running all the way through Finikoudes to Mackenzie, without interruption.
The unified promenade would require the removal of the refineries from Dhekelia Road, as well as the redesign and upgrading of the marina to take place. The marina project has been in the pipeline for a while now and has not yet been able to get off the ground. If a serious investor is not found by the end of March, the project will be null and void, and in this event, the government would push to relocate the hydrocarbons from Limassol to the site of the marina - an option that the municipality does not endorse.
Whilst either option would bring money and jobs to Larnaca, the mayor prefers the first option over the second: "Our priority is the removal of the oil storage facility tanks from the beach so we can create a unified beach and we have issued a Termination Order which we are waiting for the Interior Minster to sign. We have interest for the marina from a group of serious investors with a proven capability in operating marinas in their country and the Middle East. We prefer the option of the marina and a unified coast. With the hydrocarbons, we would simply be replacing one heavy industry (the oil storage tanks) with another kind of heavy industry."
When asked about the lack of hotels in Larnaca, that negatively affect tourism numbers, the mayor admitted that this is indeed a major issue: "If we had an offer for a hotel I would guarantee you that the municipality would roll out the red carpet!" He added that the only areas that could situate new hotels would be the area currently occupied by the storage tanks once it was freed-up, and the new marina – if the project were to go ahead.
The lack of hotels also affects the wedding tourism trade and at present the municipality conducts around 900 civil weddings per year, which is not only lower than other towns, but for which many are couples who are only in the town for one day to get married. Larnaca's lack of high-star and resort hotels prevents couples having big weddings in the town, and the mayor noted that "we have no 5-star hotels within our city centre".
Overall, the message conveyed to the LPN was one of a determined effort to improve Larnaca, combined with a roadmap of specific actions that will make Larnaca a vibrant city that offers quality of life and sustainable growth.
First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly 08/02/14
Russian puppet theatre of shadows and actor "Reflection"
Arlekin , Pierro and Columbine invite children and their parents to the colorful carnival pop-show «Dreams about Venice»!!!
The ball is in full swing...Bright costumes, faces, hidden behind the masks… Two Cavaliers are trying to find the grace of single lady. Butterfly flies, classical music is performed by a musician-virtuoso.This is a dream or reality? Who plays a: people in puppet or doll in people? The answer lies in your imagination.
Best miniatures with the puppets, clowning, tricks with flowers, rooms with interactive audience participation, tricks, pranks and jokes are waiting for you:
21 of February in Pafos – 18.30 in Municipal School No 6,
22 of February in Nicosia – 11.00 in Theatre Satiriko,
22 of February in Larnaca – 17.00 in Theatre Skala,
23 of February in Limassol – 11.00 in Agios Athanathios Theatre.
Age – from 5 and up.
Duration – 50 minutes without intermission.
Price – 12 Euro.
More information : 96 30 2770 and on web
www.magictheatre.ru
Арлекин, Пьеро и Коломбина приглашают детей и их родителей на красочное карнавальное эстрадно-иллюзионное щоу «Сны о Венеции».
Бал в самом разгаре…Яркие костюмы, лица, скрытые за масками. Два кавалера пытаются снискать благосклонность одной дамы. Летают влюбленные бабочки, звучит классическая музыка в исполнении музыканта-виртуоза. Это сон или явь? Кто в кого играет: люди в кукол или куклы в людей? Отгадка кроется в вашем воображении…
Лучшие миниатюры с марионетками, клоунада, трюки с цветами, интерактивные номера с участием зрителей, фокусы, розыгрыши и шутки ждут вас:
21 февраля – в Пафосе – муниципальная школа № 6 (18.30)
22 февраля – в Никосии – Театр САТИРИКО (11.00)
22 февраля – в Ларнаке – театр «СКАЛА» (17.00)
23 февраля – в Лимассоле – театр Агиос Афанасиос (11.00)
Рекомендуемый возраст - от 5-ти лет и старше.
Продолжительность 50 минут без антракта.
Стоимость билетов 12 евро.
Дополнительная информация по телефону 96 30 2770
и на сайте: www.magictheatre.ru
The rainbow will eventually appear - Paula Manoli-Gray
Coconut Prawn Curry
Coconut has always been a favourite ingredient in my cooking, so reading about its amazing health benefits is surely an extra bonus, too many to mention here, but seems to be good for most ailments, improves hair, skin and metabolism….and it tastes so good too. I particularly enjoy coconut in curries, I just love that rich creamy sauce, just perfect to mop up with some delicious naan bread…here I have a delicious recipe by Alida Ryder…..enjoy!!
Ingredients
1 kilo of large prawns
For the stock:
1 litre of water
2 large garlic cloves
For the curry:
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3cm piece ginger, grated
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
2 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoon sugar
1 x 400ml tin of coconut cream
Salt to taste
Method
To make the prawn stock , add shells and heads from the prawns and place them in a pot with the water, garlic and lemon. Place over a medium heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Strain and pour liquid back into the pot and boil on a high heat until it's reduced by half. Set aside. Making a home-made prawn stock will surely add to the flavour of this dish but you can use a stock of your choice, like vegetable or chicken.
To make the curry, fry the onion, garlic and ginger until soft and translucent.
Add the garam masala, spices and sugar and fry for another minute.
Add the coconut cream and prawn stock and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the prawns and poach gently for 3-5 minutes.
If the sauce is too thin, mix 2 teaspoon cornflour with 2 teaspoons water and add to the curry, allow to cook until you have a beautiful rich, creamy sauce.
Season with salt.
Serve with aromatic rice, lemon wedges and naan bread.
Androulla xx
Δημοτική Βιβλιοθήκη Λάρνακας
.jpg)
Valentine's Garden High Tea
Cost: 20 euro p.p
From the Paralimni—Ayia Napa areas, head for the village of Frenaros, taking the road to Liopetri. Just out of Frenaros take the right turn to Avgorou. Head into the village keeping the cemetery on your left, turn left at the main street junction. Follow this road through the center of the village towards Ormidia. As you leave Avgorou, take the white stone road on the left after the second speed bump.
Kids Theatre - Dreams about Venice
The ball is in full swing...Bright costumes, faces, hidden behind the masks… Two Cavaliers are trying to find the grace of single lady. Butterflyflies, classical music is performed by a musician-virtuoso.This is a dream or reality? Who plays a: people in puppet or doll in people? The answer lies in your imagination.
Best miniatures with the puppets, clowning, tricks with flowers, rooms with interactive audience participation, tricks, pranks and jokes are waiting for you:
21 of February in Paphos – 18.30 in 1 st Lyceum School,
22 of February in Nicosia – 11.00 in Theatre Satiriko,
22 of February in Larnaca – 17.00 in Theatre Skala,
23 of February in Limassol – 10.30 in Agios Athanathios Theatre.
Age – from 5 and up.
Duration – 50 minutes without intermission.
Price – 12 Euro.
More information : 96 30 2770 and on webwww.magictheatre.ru
February Competition
Please post your answer in the comment section under this post.
The sound of a thousand closing doors - Paula Manoli-Gray
