Little Mia is looking for a friend
MOVING from Mexico to North Cyprus was an adventure for seven-year-old Mia Nolan — until lockdown left her without anyone to play with.
The little girl settled into her new home in Tatlisu and happily started learning English and Turkish. But when her school closed, she was separated from her new friends.
With Mia looking unhappy, grandfather John Nolan emailed Cyprus Today: “I would appreciate very much if you could assist in spreading the word, for my granddaughter’s desire to mix and play with other children with the many weeks ahead before they return to school.
“The problem with her and many other children is that they are bored and miss the company of others. The reason for my post was to suggest a beach meet, or any other recreational suggestions for those parents who like to involve the children to integrate, and have a healthy social life after the recent lock down, frustrating for both parents and children.”
Mr Nolan said: “We were on the beach, Mia and I, just the two of us and I thought I would send out a message for her. She is so excited that she is going to make some new friends now.”
So –do you know anyone who would like to make friends with Mia?
Mia left her small island home of Cuidad del Carmen and an extended family of almost 150 last year, with her British dad John Nolan and Mexican mum Yasuni who said: “Mia doesn’t have an iPad,tablet or smart phone. We feel that she deserves a childhood away from the internet for now. She loves dancing, drawing, playing games and sports and we would really welcome any suggestions for social and creative activities or meeting up on the beach for games and fun.
“Back home we had lots of beaches, activities, games, prizes and kids’ areas with entertainers in superhero and cartoon character costumes”
The couple decided to make the move after finally completing their property, which they had bought some years ago from a developer who failed to deliver the project.
Dad Liam said: “It’s been a big move for us and will take time for us to make new friends and put down roots but we know there are plenty of people like us here. The lockdown has made it much harder. That’s why we reached out to the paper.”
Mia said: “I started last year at Esentepe Primary School and I’ve already learnt the Turkish alphabet but Turkish is not so easy to learn. I am actually nearly eight years old.
“I love to play laser tag in Famagusta and I love dancing, volley ball and badminton and especially swimming which makes me feel alive and free.
“In Mexico we call hopscotch ‘avion’, the plane!
“I really miss my family, especially my grandma and grandad, my cousins, aunts and uncles. I miss Mexican food, especially tacos and the spicy sweets.”
“In Mexico we have chilli in everything,” said mum Yasuni: “We have chilli beer, chilli ice lollies, chilli sweets for the kids, chilli dips for snacks and even KFC serve their chicken with jalapeno sauce!”
“I miss the parties and the fiesta”, said Mia, adding: “At all the birthday parties we have the piñata which is the best fun. I know I will make some good friends here and I hope it happens soon!”
A piñata is a container often made of papier-mâché, pottery, or cloth; it is decorated, and filled with small toys or sweets, or both, and then broken.