By Maria Gregoriou
Life is all about give and take, a lesson that we (sometimes abruptly) learn when we are still very young. But if we could teach our children this lesson indirectly and in a fun way then we will be surely raising better human beings. Such a chance is just around the corner with two events that the kids will love.
The first will see them following clues, running around searching, a bit of team work and – with a little imagination – becoming a pirate for a day. This all comes in the treasure hunt around Nicosia on Sunday.
The event is not just a day of fun when kids from 11-12 years-old can also flex their brain muscles and get some exercise, it is part of activities arranged by the non-profit organisation Hope for Children to raise awareness and stop sexual abuse against children.
The treasure hunt comes complete with its very own mascot, Kiko. Kiko is a cartoon character that was created by the Council of Europe to help parents better communicate with their children and to provide them with the appropriate messages and information necessary to protect them from sexual abuse and exploitation.
The children involved will solve puzzles, answer questions and play games that are appropriate for their age, as Hope For Children has worked with the Ministry of Education to make sure that the treasure hunt is appropriate for all children in the fifth grade. These questions and puzzles don’t refer to sexual abuse, rather the event is aimed at allowing children suffering from such abuse to speak out and seek help.
The hunt for treasure will begin at 9am at the Leventis Municipal Museum and finish at 1pm at the parking at Famagusta gate where a bazaar will be waiting for the treasure hunters, along with music, more games and food. Parents and children can relax and extend the fun until the results are announced.
All children will receive a certificate of participation and the first three teams will be given a cash prize.
If you are an adult and you would like to take part in the event as a volunteer, then you can register on http://uncrcpc.org.cy/gr/greek/be-a-volunteer.html.
Staying with a bit of exercise and fun, the lesson of giving to those less fortunate than ourselves is also on the agenda on November 15 in Limassol. The Bearfoot community (a community that helps children help children), along with the Grammar School Limassol, invites children to pick a teddy bear of theirs that they would like to give away to refugee children and to also ask adults to sponsor their walk.
The walk will begin from the PlusSea Lifestyle Bar at 11am and end at the Saint Raphael Resort. This is the first time that such an event will be taking place in Cyprus, so it is a fresh way to help our children learn the lesson of giving.
After the walk there will be a party at the resort for those involved and anyone else who would like to join in. There will be music and dancing, a raffle and lots and lots of activities for the children to reward them for a job well done.
Register by sending an email to [email protected]. If you cannot attend the event but would like to make a donation, you can do so via the online fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/bearfootchildren.
Treasure Hunt
A treasure hunt to stop sexual abuse against children. November 1. Start at Leventis Municipal Museum, Nicosia. 9am-1pm. Tel: 22-103234
Children’s charity walk to raise money and collect teddy bears for refugee children. November 15. PlusSea Lifestyle Bar, Limassol. 11am. Tel: 99-169550
