ROAD SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

Educational activities for children by Politeia of Ilida–Olympia

The Association of Eleians for Culture and Development “Politeia of Ilida–Olympia” and the Federation of Olympia, in their effort to contribute to the prevention of road accidents in the Prefecture of Ilia, organized an event at the Kindergarten and Primary School of Lala.

This initiative began in 2010 under the theme: “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”

In cooperation with the Directorate of Primary Education of Ilia (with the School Activities Coordinator, Ms. Evgenia Iliopoulou) and the Ilia Police Directorate (with the Head of the Pyrgos Traffic Police, Ms. Katerina Boglou), an educational event was held at the Kindergarten and Primary School of Lala.

The activity, attended by approximately 70 pupils, included a shadow theatre performance entitled “Karagiozis and Mr. Τraffic Code” by puppeteer Mr. Christos Plessas, as well as the screening of the video “Learning How to Use the Road” (by former Head of the Kaisariani Traffic Police, Mr. G. Pantazopoulos). After attentively following the entire event, the children asked questions to the Head of the Pyrgos Traffic Police and shared observations about what happens when they are on the road, in the car, or riding a bicycle. They also commented on the road behaviour of both their parents and other drivers. The pupils were reminded that traffic police officers are there to support both children and drivers, offering guidance and help in preventing road accidents.

For the successful organization of the event, representatives of the Association “Politeia of Ilida–Olympia” and the Federation of Olympia who worked and attended included Sofia Hintziou Kontogianni, Anna Papaioannou and Anna Chrysanthakopoulou.

It is recalled that in similar actions in previous years—always in cooperation with Primary Education and the Ilia Police Directorate—522 pupils from 14 kindergartens and 2,175 pupils from 11 primary schools in Pyrgos (a total of 2,697 children) participated, as well as pupils from kindergartens and primary schools in Gastouni, Vartholomio, Andravida, Varda, Asprospitia, Taxiarches and other areas, alongside the organization of informational workshops.

In Lala: the 21^st Toy Library and the 4^th Clothing Library for children by Politeia of Ilida–Olympia

In a hall of the Lala Municipal Building, in cooperation with the local community president Mr. Nikos Apostolopoulos, the 21^st Toy Library was created as part of the initiative “Toys from children for all children”, launched by the Association of Eleians for Culture and Development “Politeia of Ilida–Olympia”, in cooperation with the Federation of Olympia.

So far, toy libraries have been created in the villages of: Persaina, Prodromos, Diasella, Platiana, Agia Anna, Valmi, Peristeri, Xirokambos, Nemouta, Andritsaina, Amygdalies, Artemida, Makistos, Simopoulo, Heimadio, Mouzaki, Oinoi, Olena, Karatoula, at the Myrsini hotspot, and now in Lala.

Our aim is to give all children the opportunity to enjoy the joy of play!

“By offering the toys we make the first step, and afterwards they can be supplemented by residents or expatriates. We want the toy library also to serve as a meeting point where children can gather to play puppet theatre or group board games, play ball, as well as borrow toys to play at home and return them once they no longer need them,” stated the Association’s President, Sofia Hintziou Kontogianni.

Finally, in the same space, a children’s clothing library was created, aiming—through cooperation with the “Help at Home” program—to support people in need.

For these actions, we warmly thank for their support and invaluable contribution the Directorate of Primary Education of Ilia and the School Activities Coordinator Ms. Evgenia Iliopoulou, Ms. Katerina Boglou, Head of the Pyrgos Traffic Police, the school principal Mr. Konstantinos Chronopoulos and the teachers, the president of the Local Community Mr. N. Apostolopoulos, the school crossing guard for her guidance, the “Help at Home” service, and Mr. Giannis Poulakis (of N. Poulakis S.A.) for providing the vehicle used to transport toys and clothing—and above all everyone who, through their strength and contribution, helps us collectively bring joy to all children!

For the success of the event, representatives of the Association “Politeia of Ilida–Olympia” and the Federation of Olympia who worked and attended included Sofia Hintziou Kontogianni, Anna Papaioannou and Anna Chrysanthakopoulou.