Having been organized by the English Preparatory School of Near East University, the social responsibility project titled "We Are All Candidates to Be Disabled" was realized with the participation of Zeki Çeler, Minister of Labor and Social Security.

The Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of Near East University released that the event, which was held at Grand Library Hall 4, began with a moment of silence and followed by the National Anthem. Zeki Çeler, Minister of Labor and Security, Ahmet Akdeniz, on behalf of Cyprus Turkish Association for Orthopedically Handicapped People, Professor Fahriye Altınay, Co-chair of the Societal Research and Development Center, Dr. Fatma Köprülü and Bilun Alioğlu, NEU faculty members, delivered a speech respectively.

The Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Founding Chairman of the Board of the Cyprus Turkish National History Museum, Professor Ali Efdal Ozkul also attended the event where the speeches were delivered in Turkish, English, French and Arabic.

Minister Çeler: "Let's Overcome the Obstacles by Developing Empathy..."
In his remarks, Labor and Social Security Minister Zeki Çeler underlined the important role of such social activities in ensuring an accessible and inclusive society for all. The Minister Çeler stated that his greatest ambition was to bring into effect the "Accessible Life House" project for the persons with disabilities. "Although we can't know how and when it happens, we are all a candidate to be a disabled one in the life process. The persons with disabilities encounter many challenges in their lives due to existing social, economic and attitudinal barriers. Developing empathy is the first step required for making their lives more convenient by removing all barriers that exclude them from society.

Shows Full of Emotions Attracted Interest...
Following the speeches, Kampembe Luban and Mandundu Abraham, students studying at Near East University, addressed the participants in English and commemorated Mustafa Çelik, the Founding President of Cyprus Turkish Association for Orthopedically Handicapped People, by delivering information about the course of his life. Then, dancers from the Dance School of Near East University performed a dance show. The tango show performed by Fatoş Mayın and Assistant Professor Ali Denker, dance instructors at the Tango Club of Near East University, attracted great admiration.

Then, an orthopedically handicapped student from the Faculty of Engineering took the stage on her wheelchair and performed a dance show with Assistant Professor Ali Denker. Then, the student explained how she had overcome the challenges and coped with the disability. Her story had filled the whole hall with emotion.

Within the scope of the event, students contributed to the event with various performances. Doğa Darıloğlu made a presentation themed "How People with Disabilities Overcome the Obstacles". Nisa Akgül Üçok sang a song, Ayşenur Uçak, student at the Faculty of Pharmacy, presented drawings explaining how we can overcome the barriers. The participants enjoyed moments of pleasure with three songs performed by the choirmaster Bilun Alioğlu and the choir composed of medicine and pharmacy faculty students at English Preparatory School.

A Talk on "Love Overcomes All Obstacles" was held by the students named Ferhat İmir and Perin Rana. The Gymnastic Group of Near East College along with their instructor Mustafa Erbulut performed a show. Mirdy and his friend, English Preparatory School students, sang songs in French. At the end of the event, the participants and those who contributed to the event were given certificates.

Wheelchair and Airbed Were Donated...
A wheelchair and airbed that purchased with the financial contributions of the teaching staff of English Preparatory School were donated to the Cyprus Turkish Association for the Orthopedically Handicapped People. Besides, Esin Sedelya Çakmak, a guest participated in the event, add color to the event by donating a wheelchair to the association on behalf of English Preparatory School.