University of the Mountains Mission to the Municipality of Amari on April 3, 2013

The University of the Mountains also met with a great response in the Municipality of Amari, in the excursion it organized, on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, in the villages of Meronas and Platanos of the Municipality of Amari. The love and gratitude, evident in the faces and behaviors of the excluded residents of Crete, fills the souls of all of us with strength, for the continuation of our voluntary work.

In collaboration with the clinics of PAGNI and VEMMO – Institute of Optics and Vision, Ophthalmology, with Prof. I. Pallikaris, Assoc. Prof. G. Kymionis and the team of volunteer doctors, ENT, with Assoc. Prof. E. Prokopakis and Radiology with Mr. K. Psathakis, they examined and supported about 70 resident patients, mainly elderly and children, in the village of Meronas.

In the peer teaching of students that was implemented between the schools of Platanos Primary School, led by the school principal, Mr. A. Stavrakakis, and Roussospitio Primary School, led by the principal, Mrs. M. Emmanouilidou, the students developed the topics “Moments from livestock farming life”, “Weaving art” and “Potato cultivation”.

The Professor of Pedagogy of the University of Crete, Mrs. P. Kalogiannaki, responsible for the Pedagogical Intervention of the Penelope Gandhi Mission, the Associate Professor of the Department of Education of the University of Crete, Mr. K. Karras, and the school counselor of the Regional Directorate of Crete, Mr. M. Kolioradakis, organized and helped in many ways this entire activity with special love.

At the meeting at the Cafe of the Mountains of Men, in the village of Meronas, scientists from different fields of knowledge, the professor of Ophthalmology, Mr. I. Pallikaris, the professor of Oenology of the Technical University of Crete, Mr. D. Lydakis, Mr. V. Garganourakis, Physicist, head of the National Center for Agricultural Research, Mr. M. Paterakis, livestock breeder and Mr. A. Simantiris, President of the Meronas cultural association, discussed with the local residents issues related to the local economy, wine, oil and renewable energy sources, with anxiety and willingness to help in all the ways and means at their disposal, the people of the villages, so that they can stay and create in their place. Also, to all those returning from the cities, to turn to the land and the deliverables of their parents and through them, to live happily, enjoying what they themselves produce and not to live with the anxiety of easy profit, borrowing and subsidies.

At the Women’s Cafe on the PANAKRON estate, Mrs. Varvara Terzaki-Pallikari, Penelope Gandhi, Mrs. Kon. Batala, director of the European Education School of Heraklion, Mr. M. Kolioradakis, school counselor and Mrs. Aik. Dramitinou, President of the Panamarian Women’s Association “Ergani”, together with weavers from all over Crete, discussed with the women of the region and local weavers, the value of handmade and weaving art in Crete, the mission of Penelope Gandhi, local techniques, the xomblia, the ethics and culture of the loom.

The mayor of Amari, Mr. S. Simantiras, together with the presidents of the local community and residents of the area, continuing the ancient hospitality of the Cretans, served local delicacies, demonstrating their pleasure and brotherhood.