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
Watching recent footage of the flood situation in England, my family and I cannot believe that the scenes belong to the UK in 2014. The England I remember leaving for Cyprus has remained in my mind as a place of law, order, organisation, and preparation and readiness for such disasters. It is shocking to see that the weather has got so out of control that it is beyond the capabilities of the government to deal with.
Talking with my (English) husband, we both agreed that if it had been Cyprus in the same flooded situation, everyone's reaction would have been one of blame for Cypriots who are generally believed to be incompetent. Immediately, we would be hearing criticism and ridicule towards the people, the island and the government, along with distain at the way they were handling the situation or that they let it reach that point in the first place. In the case of England, although the government has come in for some flack, the reaction has been mainly one of sympathy, empathy and horror that people are suffering. I believe this is completely different to how the situation would be viewed in Cyprus, where many – including those who live here – see the country and its people as a joke.
Granted, it only takes a few hours of rain for our poorly constructed roads to start flooding, so we would be truly stuffed if we were in England's position, but that is not my point… I am sick and tired of people treating the island and its inhabitants as second-class yokels who have no idea what they are doing.
Naturally, there are many things in Larnaca – and the island – that can be improved, or that have not been thought out properly. This could be partly blamed on the culture of nepotism, whereby some positions are occupied through connections rather than merit, but if we were really that poorly managed and that useless, then how on earth would the country function the way it does!
Everywhere you go you will encounter people who are good at their job and people who are not. Every country has its good politicians and its bad. There isn't a nation that doesn't have a police force with its share of diligent cops, as well as corrupt ones. In every single corner of the planet you will find those who try to better the country through power and those who are so drunk on it that they abuse it horribly. So why are Cypriots always the ones to blame?
I have said it before in these pages, so forgive me for saying it again – this crisis is going to eventually be good for past grievances. If you believe that the country has been run on nepotism, you will find that people just won't be able to get away with it any more. If you felt the service you received in banks, government offices and shops was shoddy, then you will find that people will be humble and grateful to have a job and will work hard to ensure they keep it.
On top of that, Larnaca is undergoing a lot of changes to its infrastructure, so hopefully, our once-shoddy roads will be a thing of the past. Once that has combined with a generally more amenable workforce, I hope all those who have considered Larnaca and Cyprus to be the land of clowns, cowboys and incompetent fools will find that they can no longer make Aphrodite's beautiful island a scapegoat for all the world's woes!
Child Benefits - Cyprus
Child benefit is given to all families regardless of their income & marital status, that live in Cyprus and for the children that live under the same roof and fall under the below categories:
- 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.
The basic child benefit breakdown for families as seen on the Ministry of Finance leaflet and are paid once a year in December.
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.
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