Refugee Rights Turkey Project #53793

Supporting Afghan Women and Girls on the Move

by Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization

Project Report | Apr 4, 2024
A New Beginning from Afghanistan to Turkiye

By SGDD-ASAM | Project Leader

The life of Fatma who came from Afghanistan to Türkiye in 2022 with her two sons, has been shaped by the bitter face of the war. Losing her husband in the war, Fatma had to leave her homeland for fear that her sons would grow under the war and violence.

After arriving in Türkiye, Fatma encountered a language barrier and she struggled with the fear caused by miscommunication. However, she states that meeting the Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization (ASAM) has raised her hopes and she expresses her excitement at being able to communicate and get help through translators for the first time. “I realized we were not alone,” Fatma says.

Continuing her passion for painting, Fatma exhibited her talent by participating in wall painting events in Türkiye. She was appreciated for her charcoal drawings and she states that she is proud of this success.

Emphasizing the value she attaches to her sons' education, Fatma expresses her desire for them to become doctors. "I remind them every day that they must be good people first," she says, highlighting the importance of respect for women and the power of women. She adds that her sons grew up aware of the sacrifices she made for her mother.

Fatma, who is full of desire to write stories, states that her biggest wish is to write a storybook for children. She adds that she wants to draw the illustrations for this book herself. She underlying the importance of future generations by saying, "Children are our future. Adults have to prepare them for a safe future."

Stating that she found strength in her difficult days with the help of ASAM and started to get better by getting psychological support, Fatma states that she misses her mother and father the most, but she thinks that they will be proud of her and she gets great strength from this.

Fatma made many friends thanks to the training and workshops she attended and she no longer feels lonely. She said about the exhibition held on March 8, International Women's Day: "There was an exhibition on March 8, International Women's Day, and my paintings were very appreciated. Those who came congratulated me. "It was the happiest day of my life," she expresses herself.

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

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Dec 8, 2023
Building a Strong Future

By ASAM | Project Leader

Leila came to Türkiye in late 2018 from Afghanistan. The story of Leila, a student who overcomes and adapts to the place she lives in due to foreignness, finds hope It turns into a full story.

Leila states that they encountered exclusion and discrimination when they came to Türkiye. However, with the determination to overcome these difficulties, she started learning Turkish under the guidance of her primary school teacher. While Leila surmounted the problem of not knowing the language thanks to the support of her teacher, at the same time, she was trying to teach Persian to her teacher.

Explaining the difficulties her family experienced during the civil conflict in Afghanistan, Leila said that she had to emigrate to another country. She states that they had to do it. A bomb was thrown into their house while her father was a police officer and her father was seriously injured.

One of the turning points in Leila's life is her struggle against the negativities she encountered while coming to Türkiye. It starts with her feeling the need to defend herself. Leila, became stronger by learning karate.

When she started, she thought that she could not find what she was looking for in taekwondo, so she took a break. She thinks she failed. Meanwhile, she returned to this sport with the support she received from the Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization (ASAM).

Leila manages to get medals and now she is a black belt ...

Stating that her father looks at her with pride because of her achievements, Leila said that she is a black-belt taekwondo athlete who takes pride in making a difference in society. However, for her, taekwondo is not just a sport, it is also part of being a beautiful person.

One of Leila's biggest dreams is to become a doctor. She describes her love for this profession by saying, “When we go to the doctor and get vaccinated, I wouldn't even feel the pain of the vaccine from watching doctors.".

Leila believes that anything can be achieved with hard work and thinks it is important not to lose hope even when there are difficult days. Leila's life story represents a struggle full of resilience and hope.

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

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Aug 14, 2023
The Heart That Carries Hope: The Story of Vecide

By ASAM | Project Leader

Vecide's life completely changed after she faced the brutal reality of the civil war.

The story of Vecide, who has lived in Türkiye for more than two years, was full of losses and hopes.

Vecide, who grew up in the shadow of war in Afghanistan, tells that her life was turned upside down when the Taliban took over her country. "The day the Taliban entered, I lost my husband and child in the fighting. All four of my brothers lost their lives in those terrible conflicts. Only two of my children and I survived. However, coming to Türkiye, I lost my children on the way. I have not heard from them for more than two years. "I don't know where they are. I have to overcome this challenge." says Vecide.

Vecides’ new life brought difficulties. As a woman living alone, the damp conditions of the house in which she lived constantly dragged her into illness. But she was determined to overcome all these challenges. After reaching Türkiye, Vecide contacted the Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM).

Vecide, who worked in the food and pharmaceutical industry before coming to Türkiye, was alone when she reached Türkiye. However, she had to move on with her life. She stands out with her determination by saying, "I faced incredible difficulties, I struggled with hunger. But I did not give up on my honesty. I never gave up."

After Vecide’s arrival in Türkiye, a new ray of hope arose for her. "I feel safer in here. I feel proud, especially when I see girls going to school. What happened in Afghanistan still hurts my heart. I came here for my children, but now I have lost them too." she shares her sincere feelings.

Vecide attends courses organized by municipalities in Türkiye. She is learning languages and trying to acquire new skills. Thanks to the consultancy and training opportunities provided by ASAM, Vecide, who attends sewing-embroidery and painting courses, improves herself by learning how different cultures live together.

Shining with hopes and dreams for the future, Vecide says, "I want to help children and women wherever I am. I want to practice my previous job. My biggest dream is to come together with my children and offer them a safe future." She is also on her way to writing a book to help women, determined to share what she is going through and feeling.

Vecide emphasizes the importance of fighting for the future of women and children, she states that each individual should have a purpose and a goal. Vecide's story shines as an example of the power of keeping hope and overcoming obstacles.

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

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