Voice Of International Sudents (VOIS) launches in Cyprus

In recent days, series of reactions/events has made headlines both on social media, blogs and newspapers demanding justice for a 28-year-old Nigerian student who was kidnapped and murdered by a group of hoodlum in North Cyprus last week. To this extent a new platform has been launched which provides international students the opportunity to share the good and bad experiences they face in Cyprus.

VOIS Cyprus (Voices of International Students in Cyprus) is a platform which provides international students the opportunity to share the good and bad experiences they face in Cyprus. 

This platform is not meant to denigrate the people of Northern Cyprus, neither is it meant to paint an unpleasant picture of Cyprus. Rather, WE, as international students believe that Northern Cyprus is a beautiful country to live in, the beaches are long and beautiful, the architecture is a mixture between old and new, the food is amazing, and the people are loving and caring. Moreover, the beauty of Cyprus also lays in its diversity, and WE as international students contribute to this richness.

Notwithstanding its beauty and diversity, Northern Cyprus like any other society has its challenges. One of the many challenges it faces is the treatment of international students. Collectively as international students, WE, have suffered the brunt of discrimination, racism, sexual harassment and violence, unfair and sometimes hideous working conditions, as well as many other societal injustices. Individually, we have had our unique experiences with the good and bad of Cyprus.

In as much as we love studying and living in Cyprus, WE, also want to be treated with dignity and respect. WE want to be treated fairly; WE, do not want to face discrimination by the police, judiciary or any other established authorities; WE, do not want to be sexually harassed and assaulted; WE, do not want to suffer racism, WE, want to be treated fairly by our would-be employers when WE, out of necessity feel the need to get temporary jobs. WE, as international students want to be treated with DIGNITY and RESPECT!

WE have asked for so long for our VOICES to be heard, but our cries have been unanswered. The heinous murder of OUR brother and friend KENNEDY TAOMWABWA DEDE once more reminds us of OUR collective suffering, OUR collective vulnerability, OUR collective helplessness. WE want JUSTICE FOR KENNEDY, and WE WANT JUSTICE FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. His life is OURS, and OUR lives his. Now more than ever as international students WE UNITE in our collective sufferings demanding justice, equality, fairness, and respect!

As such, VOIS Cyprus is a platform which offers a VOICE to the VOICELESS. WE call on all international students and sympathizers to use this platform to share their experiences. WE aim among other things to use the experiences provided on this platform to produce art pieces which reflect these experiences, and with the help of members of the community organize a nationwide conference which invites all and sundry to a discussion on the PROBLEMS FACED BY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS in Cyprus.

VOIS Cyprus is your voice, it is her voice, it is his voice, it is OUR VOICE, the voice of the voiceless!

#Beapartofthis
#JusticeforKennedy
#VOISCyprus

Clink on the link below to join the movement on Facebook.
VOISonFacebook