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Archive for September, 2010

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PTPI Student Chapter Initiatives: Texas to Tangier

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
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In July 2010, a delegation of students from Texas, USA were treated to a PTPI welcome by our Tangier, Morocco (White Hopes of Tingis) Chapter.  Coming from a variety of universities in Texas, the students’ goal was to learn about similarities and differences between Morocco and the United States.

Chapter members taught their new friends phrases in Arabic, so they could interact with the local community, and Chapter President Salma Ait Belhadj welcomed the guests into her home for a traditional couscous lunch.  The two groups spent time exchanging information about their respective cultures and lifestyles before enjoying parcheesi (known as “parchi” in northern Morocco) and mint tea at Cafe Hafa.

On the final day of their visit, the chapter accompanied the Texans along the Straits of Gibraltar to the fishing village of Ksar Sghir, where they took part in activities focusing on team work, leadership skills and shared responsibility.

View more photos of the visit on the Tangier, Morocco Chapter’s Facebook page, or a video highlighting the chapter’s achievements in 2010.

Also, learn more about PTPI’s International Visitors Program and find out how you can experience a new place the people to people way.

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Posted in From Our Members, Student Chapters | No Comments »

Stage 2 – Flood Project Report from Punjab, Pakistan

Friday, September 24th, 2010
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Another contribution was wired to our Punjab, Pakistan Chapter yesterday, to continue support of their work to rebuild houses and provide food in their area.  Thank you to PTPI’s Midland, Michigan Chapter.

You can still contribute to recovery efforts in Pakistan – donate to PTPI’s International Friendship Fund and be sure to note that the contribution is for Pakistan.

Here is the latest update from Adnan Shahzad, President of PTPI’s Punjab, Pakistan Chapter:

On September 5, 2010, the Punjab Chapter contributed to supply rice (100 bags, each containing 40kg of rice) and cooking oil (100 packs, each with 1kg of oil).  The total value of the distributed supplies is $10,400 USD and the Punjab Chapter contributed $3,250 USD.

Ibrar Shuja coordinates the classification of donated goods.

The supplies were loaded into a truck and were distributed in District Rajanpur in Punjab Province by Distt. Rajanpur’s local authorities.  Collection of the supplies took place in a mosque in Gujranwala City.  This was a local community collection in which our chapter contributed the above mentioned amount.

Donated supplies were loaded in the presence of chapter officers and they also volunteered a helping hand to load the supplies.  Officers present were:

  • Aslam Rana, Manager, Public Relations
  • Muhammad Amir Khan, Home Stay Coordinator
  • Ibrar Shuja, Chapter Donor
  • Asim Shahzad, Chapter Member

Aslam Rana and Asim Shahzad loading supplies headed for distribution.

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Posted in Changing the World, Community Chapters, From Our Members, Humanitarian Projects | No Comments »

5 Minutes with Viktor Zikas

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
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Name: Viktor Zikas

Title: Managing Director, Special Programs and Asia Pacific Operations

Start Date at PTPI: December, 2007

Viktor Zikas

What has been your favorite travel experience?

My favorite and one of the most memorable experience happened in Amman, Jordan when Mary Eisenhower and I had the opportunity to visit His Royal Highness, Prince Ghazi at his residence. As we walked through the Royal garden and looked at 1,000 year-old olive trees, I realized how wonderful and simple this family is. I was even more surprised to learn about the depth of knowledge and compassion the Prince and the Princess have for what was happening in the world. It certainly encouraged me to brush up on certain events in the world. They were incredibly gracious hosts.

Do you like to cook?  What is your favorite thing to make?

I like to cook but I do not cook very often.  I have to say that making fondue is my favorite…if you can call that cooking.

Where all have you lived in the world?

In addition to living in Kansas City, Washington D.C., New York and Chicago in the United States, I also lived in France and grew up in my native Lithuania.

If you could pick anywhere in the world to volunteer for a year, where would it be?

In a school in the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa.

If you were an ice cream flavor, what would you be?

Hands down, Rocky Road.

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