Educate 14 Girls in Turkey by 2014

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.