Léman hope is a project of the Chiki Foundation that helps young people rebuilding their lives after cancer through sailing.
In Switzerland, every year, 350 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer. Once treatment ends, going back to “normal" life isn’t possible. The long term affects of cancer on physical, emotional, social, and mental wellbeing is huge. The feeling of being different and alone is too often a reality.
Léman hope wants to encourage and inspire those young people to help them rebuild self-confidence, through a 5-day and 4-night sailing trip on Lake Geneva. It is a life adventure where young people connect with others who have also experienced cancer, participate in life onboard and realise what they are capable of (socially and physically), learn new things, support each other and get away from home for a few days in a safe and caring atmosphere accompanied by an experience skipper and a monitor.
Priscille Varillon de Macías, Directrice de projet Léman hope, explains, "We started in 2020 with 2 boats and 8 young people from the French part of Switzerland; in 2021 we welcomed 24 young people; we then doubled the places in 2022 and organised, for the first time, some German-speaking boat crews for Swiss German youngsters. In 2023, we will have 64 young people coming from the French, German, and maybe even the Italian part of Switzerland!"
Sue Lake, notebynote, has become an institution among the International community who love musical concerts, events, and singalongs. Her friendly, open nature encourages everyone 'to give it a try' and to challenge themselves to excel and grow at whatever level they are.
Christmas Songs and Carols Sing-a-long
Sue writes, "As far as I know it's the only Christmas event in the area which is a 'sing-a-long' rather than a concert, where the audience join the songs. I started the event because I met so many people who missed the opportunities to sing Christmas songs and carols with other people. So I created a community event for all ages to come together to sing just for fun.
"Please put our annual notebynote Christmas sing-a-long in your diaries. Our previous virtual Christmas sing-a-longs were an enormous success and being able to be in person this year will be extra special."
notebynote's Christmas Songs and Carols Sing-a-long
Saurday, 10 December 2022
14h
Chéserex, VD
It is a free entrance event, no tickets and no advance registration required just turn up on the day. We do ask for donations to cover the costs of the event (renting the salle communale etc.) so we're not looking to make a profit, just to break even.
If you are a new parent and are struggling to find how to fit into this new position in your life, then maybe Rachel Colin-Jones can help you. Rachel has started a new company, Our Parenting Journeys, and tells knowitall.ch, "My goal is to combine an evidence-based approach to parenting support that one can trust, with individualised compassion and care. Whether parents are looking for someone to help guide and prepare them as they transition to parenthood, just need reassurance and support in their role as a parent or are facing a specific parenting challenge; my qualifications, professional and personal experience mean that I have a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips that I am able to use to equip and empower them, wherever they are on their individual parenting journey."
We asked her to let us know about her and the idea behind this venture.
What has been the inspiration?
When I arrived in Geneva 2 years ago, I personally realised how difficult it was raising children away from family support networks. For me, this was compounded by not being able to speak French and therefore finding it hard to navigate the system and access services. As I was here longer, I realised that this is in fact many peoples experience and story. I also discovered that there seemed to be a real service gap in parenting support accessible in English. Given my professional background I felt that I had skills and experience that could be used to close this gap.
In August 2021 I conducted a survey with approximately 100 expat families, with the aim of understanding parenting support needs in Geneva and the surrounding areas. The results of the survey were clear – parents felt a lack of accessible parenting support and wanted this service. This was the start of the year long process of creating ‘Our Parenting Journeys’. The services we now offer are based on what parents said they wanted in the survey and what I know from my professional experience to be useful for young families.
Ashley showing the Oncolexic English-French phrasebook
What is World Cancer Day?
World Cancer Day is marked every year on 4th February. This global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control aims to raise awareness of cancer and to promote its prevention, detection and treatment. With its “Close The Care Gap” theme, the 2022 World Cancer Day is focused on the need for equitable access to diagnosis, treatments, and care.
What is ESCA CS doing to #CloseTheCareGap?
At ESCA CancerSupport (ESCA CS) they believe that cancer care should not be restricted in any way, including by language, gender, age, available finances, ethnic background or culture. We are fortunate in having access to excellent healthcare in the Geneva region, however a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be difficult to cope with, and even more so in a foreign setting. ESCA CS was born out of the need for an English-language support group for those having difficulty expressing themselves in French. They offer emotional support, practical help, information resources, well-being activities and a welcoming community in English to anyone affected directly or indirectly by cancer.
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