Art from the heart
Evkaf volunteers raise money for Aegean quake victims
MEMBERS of the Girne branch of the Evkaf Volunteers for Good raised money for the victims of the earthquake that hit İzmir in Turkey and Samos in Greece last month by painting and selling stones last weekend.
Approximately 150 decorative stones were sold, organiser Oya Kutsal (pictured left) told CyprusToday on Monday, around two-thirds of the total produced.
Buyers were able to offer “however much they wanted” for the stones. The total amount raised was not revealed.
“We had a very busy weekend, we worked both on Saturday and Sunday non-stop,” Ms Kutsal said.
“Mentally and physically we are [exhausted]. But we did a fantastic job, we created amazing stones.
“We are very thankful to everybody from Gazimağusa, Güzelyurt, Lefkoşa and Girne. Our stones are all over the island!”
Those who purchased the objects were also given free copies of a novel donated by author Ogan Güntem, Ms Kutsal said.
Describing Evkaf Volunteers for Good
as a “bridge” between Evkaf, the charitable foundation established in Cyprus by the Ottomans in 1571, “and the people” Ms Kutsal said that the group had previously raised money for needy children in Kenya and Syria, for disabled children, and for a hospital in Beirut.
“We do a lot of charity work behind the scenes and . . . awareness activities for the environment and historical monuments,” Ms Kutsal added.
“For us the world is one. We support both our people and any other people in the world.”