Ex Pat volunteers tidy up campaign

Queeny


Joined: 27/11/2010
Posts: 36

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 12:41

Just been reading about Kemel Durust wanting five hundred X Pats to volunteer to act



as envirnmental inspectors as measures to tidy up the country.



Also said people caught littering will be fined named and shamed. Its a good idea if it is carried



out.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 12:43

Why must it be Ex-Pats...It's not our Rubbish!...........

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 13:03

Because only the ex pats object to and see it as rubbish ?

DeaconB


Joined: 13/07/2010
Posts: 120

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 13:03

Has anyone ever been fined for dumping rubbish?

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 13:21

msg 3...I suppose you are right,the locals call it scenery If your home is a "Dustbin" you tend not to notice..

Sundance


Joined: 15/07/2010
Posts: 213

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 13:28

If they believe only the EX-Pats see it as rubbish, what do they think the tourist trade see it as??.

The penny will drop one day (WE HOPE)



Sundance

stockiefan


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 574

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 13:29

The penny will drop!!! In your dreams!!

Jovial_John


Joined: 31/01/2009
Posts: 1024

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 13:43

For God's sake give them a chance. At least they are showng some willingness to address the problem. The effectiveness of the exercise will be determined by the quality and commitment of the volunteers. So don't moan - sign up and do something about it.

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 13:48

How about if one ex-pat volunteered for every TC that volunteered?



Sound fair?



How many in total would be in the litter army?......my guess is less than 100.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 13:48

Not quite sure what everyones problem is.

Here is an opportunity to get involved. They want 500 volunteers not just 500 expat volunteers.

And the original TC volunteers have been invited to reapply.

So for all of those that have voiced their concerns about the rubbish/litter in the TRNC now you all have a chance to get involved.

Or are you all going to be negative and make excuses for not getting involved?

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 13:51

After you...

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 13:59

AJ...msg 10



You know exactly what the problem is....it is the perceived reluctance of the TC's to get involved themselves.

They create the litter....they dump the rubbish.....they don't see it as a problem.



I know you've tried to assimilate yourself into the local population, so tell us HONESTLY how many of your TC friends and neighbours will be joining you on this litter crusade?

TinLondon


Joined: 20/07/2009
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 14:00

Well make sure the police (law enforcers - ha..ha...) aren't invited... I've lost count the number of times i've seen empty cigarette packets and water bottles flying out of their cars, while talking on mobile phones while driving in the seatbeltless seats!

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 14:02

AJ in the paper it says 500 Ex-Pat Volunteers not 500 Local Volunteers.... and they are supposed to be litter police not gatherers......... ie able to report offenders....

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 14:28

they've been told enough times about the rubbish being dumped in Malatya by Alsancak Belediysi and what have they done about that? If they can't clear the rubbish they've already been told about it doesn't give you much confidence for this initiative. I have a feeling that it is a fine collection exercise in which ex-pats have to go to court to give evidence about rubbish dumpers accused of littering with the subsequent ill feeling that causes PLUS even more accusations from prolific TC Cyp44 posters that we are a bunch of whingers... end of whinge

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 14:33

msg 15 Very well said sir!!!

chinaeyes


Joined: 13/02/2009
Posts: 425

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 14:38

It's soul destroying when you've spent hours picking up someone else's rubbish on the beaches and when out walking only to find a week later it's back .We all know a vast ammount does come in with the small tides but if I had a lire for every disgusting nappy thats left at weekends I would be well off by now.

I have given up after 3 years.

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 14:40

Simple......Just be polite offer them your own bag once you take it from you own pocket..







How could they refuse to put their rubbish in your hands ! and always remember to smile I have been trying to catch people out like that for a while now...Just waiting for the summer months now and to get into ACTION !





Spider,X

chinaeyes


Joined: 13/02/2009
Posts: 425

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 14:53

Spider,when I have collected rubbish there aren't any people around.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 14:58

msg 18 And what will that teach the offenders, other than to "Wait for the Smiley Bag Lady"Harsh Laws with penalties,that's the only way....Enforced by local rubbish police not Smiley Ex-Pats with nothing better to fill their time......By all means support the community ,but not at the risk of being taken for a bunch of obsequious fools, whilst the offenders continue not to give a damn.....

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 15:03

Martin ...msg 14



So they want ex-pats to be police informants regarding dumping?



How's that going to work?

You ring the police to report some dumping....the police officer then rings his cousin to advise him only to dump after midnight or tip it further up the Karpaz !

GinaC


Joined: 26/11/2010
Posts: 372

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 15:19

Which paper is this article from and does it specifically say ex-pats.



Any movement that tackles the rubbish issue has to be good does it not, but at the moment this thread reads like a script from the The Wombles of Wimbledon !!! with those that care and do something and those that don't ot have given up.

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 15:23

Wednesday's Cyprus Today did NOT say just ex-pats

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 15:24

MartinD41 and all it NEVER said 500 hundred expats it said,



"expats can become part of a 500 strong force of volunteer environmental inspectors"



So typical of the false rumours spread here.

GinaC


Joined: 26/11/2010
Posts: 372

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 15:27

Thanks Malsancak and Pugwash, another fine example of a post on here designed to cause a rift between the expats and locals.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 15:28

msg24...Ok, lets see how many of the 500 are locals

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 15:30

msg25 I agree..

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 15:35

Martin...msg 26



Yes, that will be the acid test.



I've been pushing AJ for a response regarding TC involvement but the silence is deafening !

brother



Joined: 29/01/2010
Posts: 446

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 15:43

Is there a TV/Newspaper campaign on this yet.

Here is my TV ad ide for them if they need help:



A video sequence of people at a picnic in the mountains/beach being narrated along the lines:



"You have the privilege of living in a rare and beutiful island.

Some of the rarest plants and animals live on this land.

You like to enjoy its beaches, its sea and the mountains.

Wouldn't it be nice for your children to know that you helped keep it that way?"



Cut to the video scene: someone who has just dumped their picnic left-overs returning to bag it up to take home.

Folloed by the scene of their child(ren) smiling as they look on.





Or put your own scene in as you see fit.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 15:59

Well here we go again.

The ones that are most vocal about the problem are the ones that are making excuses for not getting involved.

For everyones information when the project was kicked off by the last Government It was all Turkish Cypriots that applied and these same people are being invited to reapply for the new Governments initiative. But there is more to it this time as there is going to be an education program aimed at 10/11 year old school children.

If it does not work then those that have volunteered can say at least they tried. But from what I understand this is going to be a major push to address the known problems. And also from what I understand although the amount of volunteers has been set at 500 once they get to grips with initial applicants then the intake is likely to increase significantly. So those that are so vocal about the problem get involved and don't make excuses.

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 16:03

Thanks for the explanation AJ.



As I've said before I can't volunteer myself because we had to sell up.



However, I look forward to seeing all the improvements when we visit in September to stay with friends.



Let's see.

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 16:04

Indeed, how many MartinD41 should be expats out of the 500 hundred then? what do you think?

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 16:06

Pugwash.....I suggested 1 to 1 in my msg 9.....does that sound fair?

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 16:08

If you live on the island and are committed to see it prosper then get involved if you can.



How do people change their behaviour?

One of the most effective ways is through social imitation. We copy others. We are imitators.



Is this really true, do we imitate?

Yes, science can back it up. We have mirror and oscilator neurons which are designed to help us learn by copying the behaviours of others.



Does this work with groups?

Social psychologists have shown that we are influenced by networks of people. Friends influence friends, who in turn influence their friends.



What examples do you have that prove this point ? Just think of fashion. Small groups of people start a fad and others copy it.



So start a fashion, give people the chance to copy you in clearing up litter. Of course, there will be many who wont copy you, but there will be plenty who just might.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 16:17

msg34 I don't know Pugwash,but if it involves a "Free" tee shirt, a "FREE" badge and "Free" membership of the club,and afternoon tea, I guess all 500

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 16:33

Martin

Just get back to playing your inferior guitar.

I have a passion for this country and I think that 'expats' are digging a hole for themselves.

I know for a fact that certain Government members that view this site regard (rightly or wrongly) Brit Expats as being trouble makers.

I am not going to get into an argument on this thread about my feelings and I will not answer any post's in reply to this posting. All I would say is just regard this as food for thought.

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 16:40

So being a critic of some of the governments total lack of action in the past eg. litter are thought as trouble makers? Very sad if they cannot take justified criticism. They just cannot accept advice from foreigners.

swyflot


Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 916

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 16:43

The last time we helped on a "beach clean" several coach loads of children came along to give us a hand. At the beginning of the beach clean we were given disposable gloves and at the end a packed lunch.

Guess where some of the children's gloves and cardboard lunch boxes ended up....yes, you got it...on the newly cleaned beach....so much for "education"

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 16:53

AJ msg36 ,I am not arguing, simply saying that it is most likely that the Ex-pats are more likely than locals to volunteer ,yes or NO..

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 17:03

AJ...msg 36



..."and I will not answer any post's in reply to this posting"



That's a great way to stifle healthy debate AJ !



I must remember that tactic next time I think I'm losing an argument !

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 17:04

my point is simple, action speaks louder than words and if the local government are littering Malatya with impunity then the government education programme has failed before it started. If Alsancak Belediyse, who are guilty of having dumped litter by the lorryload, can get away with it what chance have you got to persuade the individuals not to drop a piece of paper?

I wouldn't dare to tell a local what to do with their litter, as much as I would like to. I'm barely accepted as a guest and have been insulted many times for interfering with the local culture, usually by being told that if I don't like the way they do it here then I should get on the next plane to the UK. Doesn't even matter if what they are doing is against the TRNC Constitution or local laws.

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 17:11

Just think if every one were to be paid for the rubbish they picked up, say 2 lira for every black back filled, think you would see a lot of rubbish soon be picked up in all areas, plus the rubbish bins raided!!!



if an initiative like a money reward were to be put in place, it would not cost a lot to initiate, once every one gets used to a clean place the 'litter police' then could fine offenders ..... just food for thought..

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 17:23

All I would think about 1 expat to 3 locals would be sensible, or do you want other problems?



It all helps though.

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 17:26

Ha,ha,ha, Boy what I would do for 2 ytl.............................................................









Spider,X

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 17:35

Go girl go, you could earn 100 lira at some of the picnic sites lol

GinaC


Joined: 26/11/2010
Posts: 372

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 17:35

Msg35 does have a ring of truth to it which is such a shame. There are many volunteers that seem to want something in return which sort of defeats the object. If you volunteer you should expect nothing in return, t-shirts, fuel allowance, packed lunches whatever.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 17:42

msg44 The Mind Boggles.................(Perhaps cut off the hands of the offenders.).. .

Enrico


Joined: 07/12/2008
Posts: 209

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 18:34

On a practical note.

You see a burly man dumping rubbish.

You approach him and ask for his name and address.

He punches you in the face and walks off.

Then what?

flossie44


Joined: 05/03/2009
Posts: 223

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 19:16

To divert slightly are they still dumping in Malatya? Last time we were out we ended up in Cyprus Today to try and get something done but to no avail.





flossie

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 19:22

martin

Message 47:



' (Perhaps cut off the hands of the offenders.).. .'



Yippee, that would mean that they could not play their D41's anymore.

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 19:26

msg 36



AJ

If as you say members of the government view this forum ,they then must see a lot of the concerns of their 'visitors'. Pity they don't act upon the many concerns reported on this forum.

TinLondon


Joined: 20/07/2009
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
10/02/2011 22:09

Half the government members of this country have difficulties grasping Turkish, I would be very surprised if any of them can first log on to a computer and find this site and then understand all the English words that are not "Yes" or "No"!

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
11/02/2011 23:44

Malatya? Just one big rubbish dump because that is the 'culture' of the residents. That is the way they are, including the muhtar, so it is highly unlikely that a few keen volunteers, whether ex pats or TC's will make any difference. Malatya had a beauty spot of a water fall. Take a look at it now. It is just past the area where the dumping occurred. At least much of the dumping has been covered by earth dumped on top, but none of the surrounding area has been tidied.

It needs a Governmental campaign to target the bad spots on the island. Ex pats don't want to be hated by their neighbours just because their standards are different, so I reckon it should be CITIZENS on ly who are the volunteer force. They will have a right to shout!

The rest are, as Mal says 'guests' and it is impolite to complain about and to your host.

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
13/02/2011 19:39

So what about other areas across the island? How tidy are they? And who keeps them tidy? And please, of all of you who read this, how many of you are going to volunteer. I most certainly would if I thought it would work, but I fear any ex pats involved living with citizens would quickly be hated, despised and possibly even illused.



Just look how locals poison dogs (dogs belonging to locals) to see how the 'culture' is different and will take a long time to change. Ex pats maybe able to help,but on a healthy ratio and as a back up team.



But come on - are YOU volunteering? If so, tell me more about why and how