Send More Girls to School!

Dear TPF Donors,

Over the past decade, Türkiye has made important progress in expanding educational access for girls. The net enrollment rate for girls in lower secondary education increased from 69% in 2012–13 to 95.8% in 2022–23, nearly reaching parity with boys. Yet this progress remains uneven. In Southeastern Anatolia, one of the country’s most vulnerable regions, girls’ enrollment stands at just 80.9%, significantly lower than the national average.

Even before the earthquakes, school dropout posed a serious challenge, with nearly 74% of out-of-school children aged 14–17. Girls face additional barriers, including early and child marriage, unpaid household labor, transportation challenges, and financial constraints that limit access to in-person education.

These vulnerabilities deepened dramatically after the February 2023 earthquakes, which disrupted the lives of nearly 4 million children across southeastern Türkiye. In 27% of households in the affected region, children had no access to schooling at all, with financial hardship emerging as the primary obstacle.

Thanks to you, hundreds of students are still in school today—continuing their education, rebuilding their confidence, and holding on to their dreams.

Your Impact in the 2025–2026 Academic Year

In the 2025–2026 academic year, 659 earthquake-affected students supported through donor like you are continuing their education:

• 135 university students are pursuing their degrees with support from the TPF Earthquake Relief Fund.

• 40 high school students affected by the earthquake are continuing their education with TPF support.

• 31 orphaned middle school students are staying in school; 2 of them have been admitted to university and are continuing their studies.

• 451 earthquake-affected middle school students are continuing their education with TPF support.

Your generosity is helping prevent dropouts, reduce financial strain on families, and keep educational pathways open—even under the most difficult conditions.

Voices of Students

Fatma S.

“I am Fatma. I love listening to music, reading books, and cooking. I am currently studying food and beverage services in high school, but my dream is to study law at university.

Our house was destroyed in the February 6 earthquakes. I had already lost my father before, and my mother supports us by working daily jobs. After the earthquake, we set up tents in the garden of acquaintances, and we are still living there. Rental prices are very high, and we cannot make ends meet without support.

I am able to cover my school expenses thanks to the scholarship I receive.
Thank you for supporting my dreams.”

Ayça C.

“As I move into 12th grade, I feel both stress and determination. Through research and reflection, I have found my goal: I want to study molecular biology and genetics at a good university.

We lost many loved ones in the earthquake, and our home was destroyed. After moving cities and returning to Hatay, life felt very different at first. Over time, I adapted, made new friends, and began to feel stronger again.

Your financial and moral support gives me the motivation to keep going and believe in my future. Thank you.”

Looking Ahead

In regions still recovering from disaster, your support is a lifeline that allows young people, especially girls, to remain in school and imagine a future beyond survival.

Together, we are not only responding to crisis—we are protecting potential, strengthening resilience, and investing in the next generation of leaders, professionals, and changemakers.

From all of us at Turkish Philanthropy Funds, and from every student whose life you have touched—
thank you for standing with them, believing in them, and making education possible.

With deepest gratitude,
Team TPF