Gender Equality Turkey Project #15083

Educate 14 Girls in Turkey by 2014

by Turkish Philanthropy Funds

Project Report | Sep 30, 2014
The Voices Behind the Scholarship

By Melis Figanmese | Program Assistant

Kardelen and her mother, Sadiye

Dear Friend,

Since our last communication, your donations through GlobalGiving have sent one more girl to school. Her name is Kardelen and she lives in the eastern city of Nigde. We are presenting to you her scholarship application, which she sent to our partner on the ground in Turkey, CYDD.

Hello CYDD,

My name is Kardelen A. I'm in the 7th grade. I have received high honor cetificates throughout my school life. I have represented my school in many general knowledge and reading contests. My goal is to become a good doctor, because I like this profession and I like people. If I succeed in becoming a doctor thanks to your scholarship, I will never forget your help. I want to be one of those students you have supported throughout school and whose path in life you have illuminated. Here they are, my goals for the future.

My mother's name is Safiye. She is a housewife and a primary school graduate. My father's name is Dogan. He left high school in his second year and is now a construction worker. My brother's name is Ahmet Can. He is in the 4th grade. We live in a rented house. To tell you the truth, we do not live in a good house, due to our bad economic situation. But when I have a good profession in the future, I will provide a better life for my family and me. Unfortunately, studying conditions for my brother and I are not good. Many of my friends have their own room, computer and they can attend private courses. But they do not study and waste their opportunities. I get mad at them. They do not study at all, while I sometimes study with wet books because our roof leaks. Despite the odds, I will not give up; I am going to study whatever the conditions are and I will make sure both my family and myself live in better conditions. As long as there are associations like yours, resolute hearts living in poverty in this country will never sease to emit successful beams of light.

Hopefully, I'll get a scholarship. So I can buy some of the books I need. Everyone is taking courses to prepare for the placement exam and thus be admitted into a high school. [In Turkey, one must take private courses to learn material that is not covered in the public curriculum, in order to pass an entrance exam for high school.] I am going to challenge those courses and work very hard on my own. I thank you very much in advance for all your efforts.

Kardelen has since received her scholarship, thanks to your kind gifts. We have just 3 more girls to support to reach our goal. Help every girl like Kardelen live her dream.

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Jun 12, 2014
Kadriye is the Happiest Mother in Turkey!

By Melis Figanmese | Program Manager

Kadriye and her daughter, Sultan

Kadriye lives in Nigde, a city six hours south of the capital, Ankara. There, Kadriye works in potato fields, earning close to $400 per month to support her five children. With her husband disabled, she is the sole breadwinner of the family. Each day, she wakes up at 4am, walks one hour to the closest bus and travels to the field where she works.

She works hard so that she can provide food for her children and shoes on their feet. But earning enough to send her young girls to school seemed impossible. Kadriye's daughter, Sultan, knew that an education was essential. She contacted one of our partners in Turkey, who gives scholarships to children in need and told her story. Five years later, she graduated from high school, the week after Mother's Day.

Watching her daughter graduate high school was the best gift any mother could receive. The diploma meant a new, bright future for her daughter. She dreams her daughter will live an easier life than hers and pass on her education for generations to come.

Sultan wrote a letter during her last week of school:

"Lot's of people in our society are unaware of these things [the obstacles familes face to attend school]. They are unaware of the happiness and honor of reaching out to the poor little girls forgotten in remove villages and encouraging them to stand up. But I strongly believe in education, and that people will have a more modern perspective. Through your support, a young generation with an open mind and fill of hope will grow.

I thank you for saving thousands of girls like me from financial hardships and for introducing me to life."

With 4 daughters still to put through high school, Kadriye keeps a smile on her face, and hopes they will all receive scholarships for education.

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Feb 28, 2014
You've funded 10 girls!

By Melis Figanmese | Program Assistant

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