In search of happiness... (News)

THREE adventurers embarking on a round-the-world trip in search of the secret of happiness are set to visit Bahrain.

From sampling street life in Madrid to relaxing in the Finnish saunas of Helsinki, American Tony Martin, 30, Belgian Kelly Ferris, 23, and Mexican Antonio Santiago, 24, are nearly a third of the way through their 206 country journey.

They began the 275,000-mile trip-of-a-lifetime, sponsored by Coca-Cola, in Madrid in January and have already toured South America, Canada and much of Europe.

The team also witnessed the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and will visit the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa later this year.

Appointed by the company as "happiness ambassadors", they will begin their tour of the Middle East by travelling to the UAE and Qatar before arriving in Bahrain on April 9.

A single-day visit to Manama will involve the country's suqs and the Bahrain National Museum.

After that, they will move to Saudi Arabia and Yemen before travelling to south-east Asia, Africa, Australasia and America.

Mr Martin is a Munich-based kindergarten teacher, while Ms Ferris and Mr Santiago are students.

They have been tasked with visiting every country where Coca-Cola is sold to find out what makes people happy.

The team received 206 specially decorated Coca-Cola bottles from company chairman and chief executive officer Muhtar Kent before setting off to give some of their hosts as part of the expedition.

"We are delighted to bring forth a project that embraces the Coca-Cola's positive outlook and evolution of our "Open Happiness" campaign, launched last year in the UAE," he said.

At the end of the trip, due to conclude in the US in December, the bottles will be displayed in a special collection at the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta, US.

More than five million people have been following the team's progress on Facebook, which is also charted on Twitter, YouTube and the blog website TypePad.

Real-time updates of the trip are available at www.expedition206.com where people can interact with the team and become "virtual travel agents" by suggesting new places for the team to visit.

Copyright 2010 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group

'In search of happiness...', Gulf Daily News, March 27, 2010, Jennifer Gnana

Happiness in the 'Land of Golden Smiles' (News)

A GLOBE-TROTTING expedition to discover the secret of happiness led three adventurers to some of Bahrain's major landmarks.

From spreading smiles in the Netherlands to island hopping in Saint Lucia and Martinique, American Tony Martin, 30, Belgian Kelly Ferris, 23, and Mexican Antonio Santiago, 24, sampled the sights and sounds of Manama during a two-day visit.

Bahrain was the 99th country on their 440,000km tour, which has already covered Canada, Europe and the Middle East and will take in Asia, Africa, Australasia and America.

The trio are travelling the world as part of the Coca Cola-sponsored Expedition 206 visiting all the countries where the beverage is sold.

The GDN caught up with the team at Bahrain Fort, after they had flown in from Qatar.

"I had never heard of Bahrain before and we wondered what to expect," said Ms Ferris, a university student.

"The first thing that struck me about the place is the architecture which is very different from all others.

"The way buildings have incorporated elements of the kingdom's past has rendered it rather unique, making it Arab yet modern."

The adventurers also took in the Bahrain City Centre mall where they chatted to shoppers and visited Pearl Roundabout and Ahmed Al Fateh Islamic Centre (Grand Mosque), before heading off to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Asked about what the trio had learned about what makes people happy, Mr Martin said the universal answer was family, friends and travelling.

"Bahrain is no different, here we heard that shopping malls make people happy," he said.

Although disappointed by the lack of public beaches in Bahrain, Ms Ferris spoke about what it had been like to be part of the once-in-a-lifetime expedition.

"The trip is all about exploring the global element of happiness and documenting our journey using social networking media," she said.

"Through user-generated content we're able to interact directly with the people of the countries we're visiting," Ms Ferris said.

"They act as virtual travel agents and suggest places to visit and share their personal happiness anecdotes."

Having travelled to 65 countries before reaching Bahrain and clocked up nearly 216,260km, the team enjoyed some quirky, fun and weird experiences.

"I think the happiest places we've been to so far has been the Caribbean," said Mr Martin.

"There's a lot of poverty there but happiness abounds everywhere.

"A Honduran told us: 'My house is by the beach, I have sunshine and water and everything that's beautiful. What more can make me happy?'"

Real-time updates of the trip are available at www.expedition206.com and the team's progress can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the blog site TypePad.

Copyright 2010 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group

'Happiness in the 'Land of Golden Smiles'', Gulf Daily News, April 16, 2010, Jennifer Gnana

New method to boost businesses (News)

A PIONEERING method to boost the marketing of small businesses is being spearheaded by a Bahraini businesswoman.

Keynotes Consultants owner Eman Bu Rashid is the first authorised coach in the Middle East for the cutting-edge Duct Tape Marketing programme.

The specialised programme was conceptualised by marketing and digital technology coach John Jantsch.

He is the author of the award-winning book Duct Tape Marketing - The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide.

The programme offers a cost-effective and workable method for small businesses to market themselves.

"It is Harvard Business School's featured marketing site and was also listed as a Forbes favourite for small business and marketing," said Ms Bu Rashid.

She is one among the 60 authorised coaches worldwide from the US, Ireland, UK, South America, Hungary, Australia and Canada.

"I heard about John Jantsch's innovative programme and did my own research to know more about the course," she said.

Training

"I underwent training in Kansas City and was appointed coach after an intensive selection process."

Ms Bu Rashid has over 20 years of experience in the banking and training sector.

She said that the lack of system and strategy as the main problems plaguing the marketing scene in the small business sector.

"Marketing cannot be learnt ad hoc, it is a systematised step-by-step process."

Teaching businesses to employ an effective referral system also forms part of the Duct Tape Marketing programme.

"If the private sector is taught to brush up their marketing skills they can better contribute to the economy."

For more details about the course, visit www.keynotesbh.com or contact Ms Bu Rashid at eman@keynotesbh.com.

Copyright 2010 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group

'New method to boost businesses', Gulf Daily News, May 10, 2010, Jennifer Gnana

Scout Group Faces Closure (News)

A BAHRAIN scout group could be forced to close only three years after it was formed if a new leader is not found soon.

The First Manama Beaver Scouts is facing the crisis after its head Jo Pawson decided to retire.

The group, which meets at the St Christopher's School Sports Hall every Sunday, has helped hundreds of children since it was launched in 2007.

It teaches boys, aged between six and eight, basic skills such as team-building and tracking in preparation for their graduation to the Cub Scouts.

Former scout leader and the group's Blue Beaver Andy Billington confirmed it could be forced to close unless a replacement leader was found.

"This is a most worthy cause and has seen hundreds of young boys aged between six and eight years pass through and come out wiser and better children," said the Reza Hygiene Systems technical manager.

"As an ex-Scout myself, I would assist in the running but I would be unable to take over as my work is based in Saudi Arabia.

"Every week Jo would engage the little boys in some activity, be it games or field visits to places such as Radio Bahrain.

"Our group is like the kindergarten for these boys who aspire to be scouts in the future.

"They are taught many skills but as it is a preparatory for cubs, they don't learn skills too heavy for them.

"For instance, we organised an overnight camp for them at the St Christopher's School grounds recently where the youngsters were taught the basics of camping.

Mr Billington said the primary qualification for any successor was lots of patience and dedication to work with children.

"You must have a clean record in order to work with children, besides a good imagination for games," he said.

"Those with previous experience in the Scouts will be given preference."

Mr Billington also paid tribute to Ms Pawson's work, saying she would be sadly missed.

"After 15 years of devoting her life to the benefit of young children, Jo has finally decided she needs a break and retire," he said.

"Approaching 60, she now wants to give her time to herself in pursuit of her ambitions."

Before coming to Bahrain, Ms Pawson spent more than nine years working with children in Abu Dhabi as well as spells in the UK, Belgium and the US.

Her last day as a leader will be on June 13 and a presentation ceremony will be held in her honour.

"It is time for a younger person to take over as I have spent 15-and-a-half years in service of the children and it is time for me to pursue something else," Ms Pawson told the GDN. Anyone interested in leading the group should contact Mr Billington on 39880495.

Copyright 2010 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group

'Scout Group Faces Closure', Gulf Daily News, May 23, 2010, Jennifer Gnana

Czech consulate to bolster trade (News)

RELATIONS between Bahrain and the Czech Republic are set for a major boost after the opening of the European country's first consulate.

Located in A'ali, it aims to improve business links and help stimulate tourism, with residents no longer having to deal with the Czech Embassy in Riyadh.

The consulate was officially opened by Prime Minister's Court Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and visiting Czech Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Hynek Kmoníček.

Also present was Bahrain's Foreign Affairs under-secretary Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla along with diplomats and other dignitaries.

The consulate will be headed by Georgios Antoniou, who is managing director of Bahrain-based Salman International Trading and Contracting Establish (SATCO).

"Czech nationals faced accessibility problems before as our embassy is located in Saudi Arabia," Mr Antoniou told the GDN.

"This new outpost will help ease some of that burden and will deal with issuing visas, documentation as well as offer assistance to business communities."

Mr Antoniou, who is of Cypriot nationality but married to a Czech national, was officially accredited by Bahrain's Foreign Affairs Ministry on February 3.

"The Czech Republic and Bahrain earlier signed the Agreement for Promotion and Protection of Investments in Prague in 2007 to strengthen our economic relations," he said.

"Discussions are also underway on a Double Taxation Agreement that will relieve Czech nationals abroad from paying taxes upon their return to their home country, which in turn will help improve the economies of the two countries."

Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Czech Republic Embassy in Riyadh Petr Hostalek said the new consulate would provide support to businessmen in Bahrain on a daily basis.

"Ours is a relatively small market here but we're both export-oriented economies and hence we can support each other," he said.

Bahrain is home to 42 Czechs, who mainly work in the hospitality sector.

"Czech nationals are employed with airlines as stewardesses, some are garden architects or nurses and they're also employed in the banking sector," said Mr Hostalek.

"They have distinguished themselves in diverse job fields such as coaching national sports teams.

"The last coach of the Bahrain national football team, Milan Máčala, was Czech."

The volume of trade between both countries was just over $15 million (BD5.6m) last year, with Bahrain importing a range of goods including Škoda cars, computer components, filtering and purifying products, electrical control panels and hospital beds.

Aluminium was the main export to the Czech Republic.

Mr Antoniou said the consulate would also help provide assistance to Bahrainis travelling to the Czech Republic for tourism and education.

"We have at present 87 Bahrainis who are mainly medical students," he said.

"We hope that with the opening of the new consulate, more students will be interested in choosing the Czech Republic as their destination for higher studies."

Mr Kmoníček, who travelled to Bahrain for two days of talks with Mr Abdullah, also had discussions with Shaikh Khalid at the Gudaibya Palace yesterday.

The consulate is housed in Villa 333 of Block 732 in Road 3207, opposite the National Driving School.

It will open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm and can be contacted on 17764961.

Copyright 2010 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group

'Czech consulate to bolster trade', Gulf Daily News, May 21, 2010, Jennifer Gnana

Bahrain left in the Dark (News Report)

BAHRAIN has been left in the dark as the largest global initiative to highlight climate change gets underway around the world tomorrow. Earth Hour 2010, spearheaded by World Wildlife Fund, will see major cities and landmarks across the globe plunged into darkness for an hour to save energy. Hundreds of millions of people along with companies, governments and communities have signed up for the event to show their support by switching off all non- essential power sources from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. However, a GDN survey of 17 schools, several major companies and top hotels found that most had no activities planned and a sizeable majority knew nothing about the event. One of the few set to mark the occasion will be the Gulf Hotel, which is hosting a poolside Earth Hour festival from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Bands TQ Trio and Gemini 7 will perform at the event, which will also feature presentations, skits, dance performances and a quiz on the environment. The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa will also switch off non-essential power in all areas of the hotel, including rooms, restaurants and public spaces, which will be lit by candlelight from 8.30pm. The event also features a BBQ buffet and entertainment from Radio Bahrain DJ Krazy Kevin. Children of all ages too are invited to take part in a poster competition to raise awareness about practical ways to deal with global warming. Entry is free for all and starts from 7pm. The Golden Tulip has also pitched in to support the cause. "The Golden Tulip's indoor and outdoor lights will be switched off for an hour," said assistant front office manager Victoria Naydenova. None of the major companies contacted had any events planned for Earth Hour. However, Batelco reiterated its support for protecting the environment and saving power. "Batelco introduced lighting timers throughout the company at the beginning of the year to control the amount of time lights remain on especially in areas that are infrequently used," said general manager of human resources Suhaila Al Nowakhda. "We are continually looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint and have also recently introduced paper recycling within our offices." More than 4,000 cities in 88 countries switched off during last year's Earth Hour. This year 126 countries have pledged their support, with Saudi Arabia joining for the first time alongside other Middle Eastern countries including Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE. "Earth Hour is a symbolic campaign of taking action through small individual efforts that transforms into a collective global event," said World Wildlife Fund Middle East marketing director Ida Tillisch. "We can assume increasing support for such events is due to a rising consciousness about climate change." Copyright 2010 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group 'Bahrain left in the dark', Gulf Daily News, March 26, 2010, Jennifer Gnana

Along came a spider…

Moving to Mumbai from Bahrain for university brought some surprises that I had not bargained for.

I soon found myself battling not just the forces of nature, unexpected rain and shine, but also weird species I hadn’t encountered before, like crows that finished off our cheese balls, eagles and spiders.

My day usually begins with me waking to the cacophony of crows cawing their hearts out.

My room-mates often wake to hear me half-awake, pleading with the crows to “please, please go away”.

To my warden’s horror and my delight, we found a pigeon had laid an egg in one of our buckets in the first week of my joining the hostel. She told me to throw it in the bin, but not having the heart to do that, I named it Clare and buried it in the garden.

My three months in the city have led me to discover that just about everything in Mumbai is unpredictable.

Just when the scorching summer had set in and hopes of scanty monsoon showers faded, it started bucketing down out of the blue. Unfortunately that day the window next to my bed had been left open and when I went back in the afternoon, my bed was soaked, with a puddle of water underneath.

Tired after having answered an economics paper, I just spread newspapers on the floor, switched on the fans and went to have a bath. When I got back, I was told my warden wanted a word with me. I went down to her office to find her ballistic “Jennifer, you’re going to be a mother some day. When your kids throw up on the walls, are you going to spread newspapers?

“When something of this sort happens back home, you wouldn’t spread newspapers, would you? Honestly, have you never swabbed?”

I couldn’t tell her we had carpets back home and I hadn’t swabbed a tile in my life.

She made me mop up the water and swab my side of the floor till she was satisfied, then I was given another bed to sleep for the night.

The next day I was told to dry my mattress in the sun and be on the alert to remove it, should there be another downpour.

Room No 1 has a reputation for being the messiest in the hostel, I was told the very day I joined.

True to form, it has remained so.

Our warden ordered a spring cleaning in our room just days before we left for our Diwali break.

I was dusting the window grilles standing on top of the table when I saw it, the creature, I loath, fear and hate – a spider, lurking in a corner. There was an almighty scream followed by a dreadful metallic crunch.

I had jumped in fright onto my room-mate’s bed and it collapsed.

When the realisation hit me that I had broken a bed I ran straight down to my warden’s office, expecting a roasting.

But she laughed and came up to see where the spider that had given me such a fright.

“It’s so small, I can’t even see it. You should learn to co-exist peacefully with the spider,” she quipped.

“We make bad neighbours,” I replied.

Copyright 2009 Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group

'Along Came a Spider', Gulf Daily News, October 30, 2009, Jennifer Gnana