The Child Amputees of Turkiye Earthquake

On January 6, 2023, southeastern Türkiye experienced a devastating earthquake which left a trail of destruction and tragedy, affecting countless lives. Among the hardest hit were children and young individuals who not only lost their homes and loved ones but also suffered life-altering injuries, including the loss of limbs. In response to this crisis, the CATE (Child Amputees of Türkiye Earthquake) project was born, a beacon of hope and resilience for these young survivors.

The CATE project is a collaborative effort between the Bridge to Türkiye Fund (BTF) and the Child Wellness Center in Çukurova bringing together healthcare experts both in USA and Türkiye. We are dedicated to supporting the physical and educational rehabilitation of children and young individuals who have lost a limb because of the earthquake.

Maintaining Support to Enhance the Quality of Children’s Lives

The primary goals of the CATE project are twofold: to provide orthesis and prosthetic limbs for the affected children and ongoing scholarships to ensure their educational continuity. Our mission is to supply these children the necessary resources to rebuild their lives and secure a brighter future.

The loss of a limb can be particularly devastating for children, impacting their mobility, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. The CATE project addresses this by creating and ensuring the fitting of orthesis and prosthetic limbs. These orthesis and prostheses are tailored to meet the unique needs of each child, allowing them to regain their independence and engage in daily activities with confidence.

Education is a critical component of a child's development and future success. Recognizing this, the CATE project offers scholarships to all child amputees affected by the earthquake, regardless of their age. These scholarships cover educational expenses from primary school through university. By alleviating the financial burden on their families, the project ensures that these children can pursue their academic goals and aspirations without interruption.

The Impact

The impact of the CATE project extends beyond the immediate provision of orthesis, prosthesis and scholarships. It represents a commitment to the long-term well-being and empowerment of Türkiye's young earthquake survivors. By restoring mobility and providing educational opportunities, the project helped 147 children so far, 101 of which benefit from scholarships to recover from their physical injuries and build a foundation for a prosperous and fulfilling future. All the students will be supported from whatever educational level they may be to the end of their university education.

The collaboration between BTF and the Child Wellness Center exemplifies the power of international cooperation in addressing humanitarian crises. Together, they bring hope and tangible support to some of the most vulnerable members of society, ensuring that no child is left behind in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Join Us!

The success of the CATE project depends on the generosity and constant support of individuals and organizations around the world as the project aims to be there for even the youngest beneficiaries all the way to their university graduation. By contributing to this initiative, you can help transform the lives of child amputees in Türkiye. Your support will make a profound difference in the lives of these resilient young individuals.

Join us in this endeavor to rebuild lives and restore dreams. Together, we can create a brighter future for the child amputees of the Türkiye earthquake.

Links:

• Bridge to Turkiye Fund Website
• Child Wellness Center Website