CYPRUS continued to lend a helping hand to Greece with schools islandwide yesterday holding fundraisers to collect money for its students in need.
House Education Committee head Nicos Tornaritis started the initiative, which was then approved by Education Minister Giorgos Demosthenous,.
“Most of us and the majority of yours and my parents got some of the best and most significant things out of Greece... our education,” said Tornaritis, addressing students and teachers at Archbishop Makarios III gymnasium in Platy Aglandjia yesterday.
Tornaritis pointed out that Greece has also sent millions of free books to Cyprus over the years.
“That’s why we’re here to thank you for giving from your family’s savings, to support your classmates in Greece that are in need along with children who are going through difficult times, tragic times,” he added.
He was joined by MPs Efthymios Diplaros, Giorgos Loucaides, Athina Kyriakidou and Demosthenous.
“We’ve had scholarships and free education in Greece, so the least we can offer during these tough times is this symbolic fundraiser taking place at all schools,” said Demosthenous.
Andreas Georgiou, headmaster of Aglandjia Gymnasium said: “Our natural homeland Greece, which has always helped us faces a period of great hardship and all Cypriots feel the need to help.’
The Minister reassured that the money collected would go to ‘a good and sacred cause.’
Cyprus has been extending a charitable hand over the last week with various charity drives and fundraisers all over the island, with people collecting canned food, clothes and money to be distributed in Greece. Aradippou Municipality also just last week sent 800 kilos of beef to help Greece’s homeless. The Cyprus Association of Civil Engineers called on its members yesterday to take part in the various charity drives taking place.
