A noble cause ♣ For the fourth year in a row, Omar Samra's Right To Climb (RTC) initiative continues to help raise awareness and funds for the mentally disabled in Egypt, estimated at LE1 million until now. Kenya was this year's destination for Samra and a group of climbers who reached Mount Kenya, the second highest point on the African continent. The six-day event brought together climbers from Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt working to raise awareness of and financial support for the mentally challenged through personal as well as professional networks. Organised by Wild Guanabana, Samra's untraditional travel company, the RTC initiative was first launched in 2010. The RTC challenge will take place in 2014 during the next Eid, but the destination has not been decided yet. Interested people should find out more on https://www.facebook.com/right2climb. ¨ A celebration was held at the Giza Pyramids to promote tourism in Egypt, communicating the message that Egypt is a safe destination. Tour guides gathered holding banners welcoming tourists in Portuguese, Spanish, German and other languages, and the Wekalet Al-Ghouri troupe directed by Mahmoud Eissa gave a spectacular performance featuring the Mizmar and the Tanoura (Whirling Dervishes). Present were Minister of Tourism Hisham Zazou, Deputy Interior Minister Momtaz Fathi, Director General of the Giza Plateau Mohamed Shiha, Major General Khamis Shehata, Manager of the Tourism and Antiquities Police of Giza Pyramids Major General Hisham Khalil. ♥ During his meeting with the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb last week, Italian Ambassador Maurizio Massari confirmed the role played by his country, whether through bilateral relations or the European Union, to support democratic transition in Egypt, which Massari believes will be achieved by the Egyptians themselves. He concluded his meeting with an emphatic statement of Italy's respect for the choices of the Egyptian people. Massari also attended the opening ceremony of the third annual technical education scholarship programme of the Egyptian students in Italy. The project is sponsored by the Misr Al-Kheir Foundation and it aims to educate 300 Egyptian students in technical institutes in Italy. The ceremony took place at the theatre of the Misr University for Sciences and Technology in 6 October city, and it was attended by Chairman of the Board of the foundation Sheikh Ali Gomaa and the executive director of the Knowledge Sector at the foundation Alaa Edris. ª Marking the 50th birthday of the King of Morocco Mohamed VI, a gigantic celebration was held, coinciding with the Day of Youth in Morocco. The two-hour event featured Moroccan singer Jannat. ♣ The 32nd Cairo International Kids and Teens Fashion show and exhibition will take place on 15, 16 and 17 September at the Cairo International Conference Centre starting at 11am every day. It will show the latest trends in children's fashion for winter 2013/2014 as well as leather products and furniture. ♥ The German University in Cairo (GUC) held a welcome party at its headquarters in New Cairo for 54 high-ranking students from the provinces who will take part in the university's newly launched scholarship programme. The scholarship covers tuition, residence and living costs as well as counselling. “This trend confirms the conviction that I have in the importance of education in the process of positive change and development of Egyptian society through the development of qualified staff,” said Ashraf Mansour, founder and head of board of the GUC trustees.
