Heal the Wounds in Turkiye

Asif, who migrated from Syria to Türkiye, is a child who has tightly embraced his education despite the challenges he faced at a young age. Asif started primary school after arriving in Türkiye. However, due to a liver surgery he underwent during infancy, he continues to face health issues and requires regular check-ups as advised by doctors. Despite these difficulties, his family has been doing everything they can to support his education.

Before the earthquake, Asif worked at a dessert shop after school for some time. His family was informed about the legal dimensions and sanctions of child labor in Türkiye, and Asif was redirected to focus on school. As a result, child labor was halted, and Asif began attending school regularly.

 After the earthquake, the family faced new economic difficulties, which put Asif's education at risk once again.  Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization (ASAM) provided the family with further information about Türkiye’s compulsory education system. They were guided to communicate with the school administration, ensuring that Asif’s education continued without interruption.

Asif successfully completed primary school and regularly attends the 5th grade, making significant progress in his education. His mother proudly shared, “Asif loves school and his lessons. He gets ready with excitement every morning and is happy to go to school.” She described him as a successful child.

Asif’s biggest dream is to become a doctor and contribute to his family and society.

This hopeful story reminds us again of the importance of ensuring and supporting children’s access to education.

(Note: The real name of the beneficiary has been changed.)

Nazan, who lives in Hatay, is one of the thousands of people affected by the earthquake disaster in Türkiye. She was living with her two siblings at the time of the earthquake. Nazan, who was already struggling with cancer, lost her brother, who worked in the municipality, in the earthquake. The tragedy they experienced shook the two sisters deeply; they both had difficulty in covering their health expenses and tried to hold on to life again.

Nazan expresses the difficulties they are going through in the following words: “I even forgot my physical pain as I was mourning my brother. It has been a very difficult two years. My sister had a very hard time coping with my illness and the loss of our younger brother.”

Nazan and her sister met with the Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization(ASAM) to cope with their traumas. The counseling they received on post-earthquake trauma and stress disorder made a big change in their lives. Nazan said, “It felt really good to talk to someone and get help. Also, the food aid provided by ASAM was very important for us. Our diet and economy had been turned upside down; I can't tell you how much this help meant to us.”

Stating that her cancer is in remission and that she continues her treatments, Nazan emphasizes that the process she is going through is directly related to stress: “Stress is the friend of this disease. Yes, I cannot say that my life is very good, but I want to continue to fight for my sister and myself. I want to thank ASAM psychologists once again for boosting my motivation. Overcoming difficulties is sometimes not easy on its own. Thank you very much to everyone who made it easier. I am getting better.”

Nazan's experience reminded us again what difficulties earthquake victims' families experience, both physically and emotionally, and how important solidarity is in this process.

 (Note: The real name of the beneficiary has been changed.)