Mission of the University of Mountains to the Municipality of Rethymno on 10 and 17 May 2013

The University of the Mountains and the Municipality of Rethymno received a great response to the excursion it organized, on Friday, May 10 and Friday, May 17, 2013, to the villages of Agios Konstantinos, Roustika and Gonia. The love and gratitude, evident in the faces and behaviors of the inhabitants 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, of Ophthalmology, with Prof. I. Pallikaris, Assoc. Prof. G. Kymionis and the team of volunteer doctors, of Neurosurgery, with Assoc. Prof. A. Vakis, of Social & Family Medicine with Mr. K. Chliveros and of Individual and Family Support, with Mrs. K. Garefallaki, they examined and supported about 70 resident patients, mainly elderly and children, in the villages of Agios Konstantinos and Roustika.

In the student exchange, which took place on Friday, May 17, between the Gonia Primary School, led by the school principal, Mr. D. Gerasis and the teacher, Mrs. E. Michael, and the 16th ^Primary  School of Rethymno, led by the principal, Mr. P. Skoulikos, the students developed the topics “Our friends, the herbs, and the wisdom of nature”, “I know my city – Monuments of the city of Rethymno” and “Healthy traditional Cretan diet – recipes – mantinades”.

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, the Associate Professor of the Department of Education of the University of Crete, Mr. D. Karagiorgos and the school counselor of the Regional Directorate of Crete, Mr. A. Berkoutis, 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 Roustika, scientists from different fields of knowledge, Prof. of Ophthalmology, Mr. I. Pallikaris, the Associate Prof. of Neurosurgery, Mr. A. Vakis and the Prof. of Botany of the Technical University of Crete, Mr. Z. Kypriotakis, discussed with the local residents, issues related to the local economy, agriculture and herbs, 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, 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 in the village of Agios Konstantinos, Mrs. Varvara Terzaki-Pallikari, inspirer and coordinator of the Penelope Gandhi Mission, Mr. D. Karagiorgos, associate professor of the Department of Social Sciences of the University of Crete, and Mrs. K. Garefallaki, systemic consultant in Psychology, discussed with the women of the area and local weavers about the value of handmade goods and the art of weaving in Crete, the Penelope Gandhi Mission, local techniques, the xomblia, the ethics and culture of the loom.

The presidents of the communities of the villages of Agios Konstantinos and Roustika, Messrs. S. Gavalas and S. Fountoulakis, together with the presidents of the local cultural associations and residents of the area, continuing the ancient hospitality of the Cretans, served local delicacies, demonstrating their pleasure and brotherhood.