Passing of Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI

Dear Atsushi Miyazaki,

At times like these, it is not easy to speak. So like your solemn mother, Mrs. Keiko Miyazaki, we observe a minute of silence for your soul and all others who have wholeheartedly come over in a great humanitarian cause to help the people of Van. Van, a city in Eastern Turkey bordering with Iran, was striked twice by earthquakes of scale 7.2 and 5.7 one after another in the last month. We, as SWY-Turkey, fully acknowledge that earthquakes are inevitable yet losses from earthquakes are not.  You have come all the way from your hometown Oita to share your love and passion for humanity. We are deeply sad to have witnessed your loss under the rubbles during your effort to help the people of Van.
We are grateful for what you have shown us: People of the world should share the moments of joy and sorrow.  We would like to thank the Association for Aid and Relied Japan which you belonged and extend our sincere condolences to people of Japan and  SWY community. Your memory will not be forgotten.
SWY Turkey Alumni Association
 
Note: A hotel where 2 staff members of Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR JAPAN) were staying in Van collapsed around 9:23pm on November 9th, 2011 (local time) after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Turkey. Humanitarian aid worker Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI died beneath the rubbles, while Ms. Miyuki KONNAI survived with an injury that was not life-threatening.
For more information please refer to:
http://aarjapan.blogspot.com/2011/11/turkey-passing-of-mr-atsushi-miyazaki_13.html
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あつし・みやざき様、
 
このような状況で発言するのは、容易ではありません。あなたの大切な母上、宮崎恵子さんもそうでしょう。私たちは、人道的な理由で精魂を傾けてワンの人々を支援してくださったあなたの魂や他のすべての人々に対して一分間の黙祷を捧げます。トルコ東部のイランと国境を接する都市ワンは、先月と今月2度もマグニチュード7.2と5.7の地震に次々に襲われました。私たちは地震は不可避なものだとはわかっていますが、地震による損失はそうではありません。あなたははるばる故郷の大分から来て、ワンの人々を支援するために愛と情熱を注いでくださいました。私たちは、あなたがワンの人々の支援を取り組んでいる最中にがれきの下敷きになって亡くなられたことに深い悲しみを覚えます。ですが、私たちに
示してくださった人道的支援に心から感謝しております。全世界の人々は、喜びや悲しみの瞬間をを分かち合うべきでしょう。あなたを派遣してくださった「難民を助ける会」に感謝するとともに、私たちの心からの深い哀悼の意を日本国民や会のコミュニティの皆さんに表明します。
　世界青年シップトルコ同窓生
 
メモ：「難民を助ける会」のスタッフ2名が滞在していたワンのホテルが、2011 年11月9日にトルコ東部を襲ったマグニチュード5.7の地震の後、午後9時23分倒壊した。人道支援家の宮崎淳氏は瓦礫の下敷きになって死亡した。近内みゆき氏は負傷して助けだされ、命に別状はない。
 詳しい情報のために下にあるリンクに見てください。
http://aarjapan.blogspot.com/2011/11/turkey-passing-of-mr-atsushi-miyazaki_13.html

Gregory's visit to Turkey

I had the pleasure of visiting some of the Turkish Ex-PYs from SWY.22, first in Istanbul, then in Ankara in July 2010. Turkey is a country well-known for its hospitality, but still we were surprised by the warm reception and kindness of our friends!

We ate (a lot!) of really tasty food (which is not that similar to Greek as I expected!), we had really intresting conversations and we had the chance to know better each other, as on the ship there are loads of people and it's really hard to be close to everyone...!

One of the most memorable moments was the trip to the lake of Ankara, as well as the cruise of Bosporus in Istanbul! But the highlight can't be anything but the smile and positive attitude of these young Turkish people!

Thank you so much guys! It's your turn now! Serefe! Yamas!

Gregory Kontos (02.07.2010 - 06.07.2010)

Konstantinos' visit to Turkey

Being a Greek, living close to Turkey and sharing a common history for more than 500 years, each one of us is being brought up by listening to various stories, good and bad; however it is only if you decide to visit this country on your own that you will explore the greatness of its people and their warmth hospitality.

It was not my first time to visit Turkey last month. Nevertheless it was the most memorable journey of my life. The kindness, the friendliness and the constant smile of the families I stayed and everyone I met made me feel very special for being there together with my friends, brothers and sisters from now on.

Gulece, Didem and Seda! I cannot thank you enough for everything. You were such gracious hosts and I really felt at home.

I can't wait to return the favor the next time you're around!
Please let me know when you would like to visit and I will turn the brightest light on for you.

Konstantinos Tsikgaras (30.06.2010 - 05.07.2010)

Panagiotis in Turkey

My family had to leave Turkey in a bad way 40 years ago.
They sold everything in order to start a new life in Greece.
Since I was a kid, we visited Istanbul and other places 3 times. I always saw something in mother's and my grandmother's eyes; but I couldn't realize what.
For me, it happened to study History between others. I had the luck to learn the history from both sides. This last fact opened my mind,  made me see things from a neutral side.

I had the luck to meet the amazing Turkish delegation participating in SWY-22. From the first day, I realized that we can happily live together on board, as it felt like we were coming from the same country. Our habits, thoughts, body language... Everything was the same.

After coming back to Greece from SWY, I firstly traveled to Ankara. It was a last minute decision, but I really enjoyed taking it.
I had a really good time with the Turkish delegates living in Ankara, I felt like I was back home, even if I've never been there before...
It's needless to describe their hospitality...
It's needless to describe their kindness...
It's needless to say that I had a really good time there.
Thank you Seda, Didem, Gulece, Okan!

Also, as a Scout leader, this summer I visited Izmir with my scout group during our summer camp for 3 days. Our scout team felt the added value of the SWY spirit. Berkant didn't go at all to his house in order help us and provide us every information we needed to fulfill our camp's goals. It was amazingly great that he shared the same tireness and had the same passion to explore the city as we did.

As I promised, I'll be back and I'll see you again very soon.
Now, I can understand the feelings in my mother's and grandmother's eyes.

Thank you the amazing Turkish delegation!

Panagiotis Mamouzakis (30.04.2010 - 03.)