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Water & Agriculture Programs

Youth (Cyprus Friendship Program)

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Capacity Building
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Click here to see CFP Teen Handbook

Click here for the CFP Teen Application Form

Click Here for the CFP Joint Application Form
(note: Applicants must complete both the Teen and the Joint Applications)

Click here to apply as a host family and upload application

Cyprus Friendship Program Photos

CFP teens during a teambuilding exercise at the University of Maryland

CFP teens during the conflict resolution training with Kathy Owen

Click here to see more CFP photos

CFP in the News

Click here to see the article in the Vienna Connection

Click here to see the article in The Granite State News

CYPRUS FRIENDSHIP PROGRAM

About CFP

In 2009, HasNa Inc. launched a new, all-volunteer program in Cyprus, called the Cyprus Friendship Program (CFP). CFP is a friendship building and leadership program that focuses on fostering trust and understanding through interaction between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots in Cyprus. In an effort to break the cycle of fear and mistrust, CFP selects and pairs Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot teens to pursue friendships. Program activities are provided in Cyprus and the U.S. for the selected pairs.

The program seeks to prepare Cyprus’ future leaders of a generation that has grown up in a divided society to find bi-communal solutions for living harmoniously.

Turkish-Cypriot teens from the north and Greek-Cypriot teens from the south (ages 15-17) are selected by CFP Coordinators in Cyprus and are paired together, one teen from each community. The goal is for the pairs to establish a friendship with one another that will grow and strengthen throughout the program.  Maintaining these friendships is essential for realizing the full potential of CFP. Teens are required to participate in program activities, to introduce their families to one another, and to bring their friends together. It is essential that all participants are fully committed to these aims.

In the summer, the pairs of teenagers arrive for the U.S. Residential portion of CFP.  While in the U.S., the pairs live together with American host families for four weeks. The aim of this four-week residential is to promote friendship and understanding through interaction and to further develop leadership skills. This phase is reinforced by the teenagers staying in a country where many differing cultures live together in peace.

For Teens

Cypriot teens who are 15 – 17 years of age are eligible to apply. The first step is completion of a two-part application form in conjunction with their parents. All applications will be reviewed by a bi-communal team of volunteer Coordinators. Based on this review, a limited number of applicants will be invited for interviews.

Commitment to bi-communal activity, leadership potential, and feasibility of participation will be assessed during the interview process. Subsequent to the interviews, a select number will be offered slots in the program with a potential of attending the residential in the U.S.

For Host Families

Hosting a pair of CFP teens is an enriching and rewarding experience. By opening your home to a CFP pair, your family will personally contribute to a more peaceful world while making many new memories with your teens!

CFP teens come to consider their hosts as their “second families” and the host families and teens develop very close relationships. “We had a wonderful time this summer with [our teens].  I know that the focus of the program is on the Cypriot teens, but I think that my kids’ lives have been incredibly enriched by having the boys with us also.  They all formed a bond that even the thousands of miles distance cannot break”, 2009 CFP Host Mom.

CFP host families reflect the economic, religious and cultural diversity of the country. Host family eligibility is based upon the following three criteria:

• A politically neutral home.
• A safe home with appropriate adult supervision.
• A bedroom for the teens to share.

Host families are requested to treat the teenagers as family members, not as tourists who need to be constantly entertained. Teenagers take part in normal family activities within insurance guidelines.

It is not a requirement for host families to have children of their own, although most do. Single individuals who meet the criteria set out above may also host.

Host families are requested to avoid asking sensitive questions or initiating discussions upon which the teen pairs may have divided views.

There is a yearlong effort to recruit host families. The program requires three independent references and a background check on all new families. All host families are screened by coordinators in the U.S.A and approved by the CFP directors.

Cost

CFP is a volunteer program. Host families cover the living costs of the teens during their stay in the U.S. while HasNa Inc and CFP donations cover the international travel and program activity costs. Each teenager selected to participate in the program, and ultimately the U.S. residential, is required to make a personal/family contribution as well.

Please volunteer to host a pair of teens in 2010 Cyprus Friendship Program. It is a meaningful way for you to directly and personally affect peace in the world. For further information, contact HasNa's Program Assistant, Ciara Masterson, at ciara@hasna.org

CFP Activities

During their stay in the U.S., teen participate in a number of leadership and team building activities. Some of these activities include:

• Team building ropes course
• Community service activities
• Conflict resolution training
• Civic engagement activities
• Pool party

Most of the activities are daylong.  CFP also encourages host families to have their pairs participate in their everyday and planned family activities.