Education Turkey Project #9456

Empower 1000 Rural Students Every School Year

by Bridge to Turkiye Fund

Project Report | Oct 16, 2026
A Fair Start to the School Year

By Gozde Arasl | Program Services Manager

Last month, classrooms across Türkiye came alive again. Teachers, parents, and students shared the excitement of a new school year. Yet for many families, that joy was quietly overshadowed. With the cost of school stationery up 25% from the previous year, preparing a child for the first day of school became a real burden, especially for households already stretched thin.

This challenge is part of a much larger picture. According to data from the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), Türkiye ranks first in Europe with 29.8% of its population at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The number of people in this risk group is estimated to exceed 25 million. For these families, every school expense adds to an already heavy load.

Thanks to our donors’ generosity, we were able to help ease that burden for students in some of the country’s most rural corners. In September, as the new school year began, 233 students in Agr, Hatay, Kilis, Adyaman, Sanlurfa, and Kars received backpacks filled with the essentials they needed for the year ahead, from notebooks, pencils, and pencil cases to glue sticks and basic art supplies. For a child, walking into class with the same tools as their classmates means confidence and a sense of belonging.

A teacher in Agr, whose school welcomed 57 of these students through the bused schooling program, shared:

“We were delighted to deliver the backpacks and school supply kits you sent to 57 of our students from rural areas who have limited means. Each backpack you sent was far more than a set of school supplies; it was a precious gift that carried the message, ‘Your education and your future matter to us.’ The happiness and excitement on the students’ faces as they received their backpacks showed us how meaningful your kindness is.”

Thank you for believing that every child deserves equal access to education and opportunity. With this belief in our minds, we can help more children begin each school year with confidence and excitement.

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Jun 19, 2026
Growing Up Strong, One School at a Time

By Gozde Arasil | Program Services Manager

On April 23rd, National Sovereignty and Children's Day, we had the joy of delivering comprehensive physical education and sports equipment sets to schools across Türkiye, including one in the farthest east of the country, home to 200 students.

The excitement was palpable. Teachers and students gathered together to unbox the collections, and within moments, teachers were already planning games and activities, inspired by what they found inside. One teacher shared:

"Your contributions play a vital role in nurturing students' imagination, mental development, and physical growth. This gift has motivated our teachers as well, because a happy teacher is the first step toward a happy class. Thank you for making both our students and teachers smile."

Each set was designed to balance recreation, fitness, and responsibility. Team sports were covered with scrimmage vests, soccer, volleyball, and basketballs, a basketball hoop and net, and goalkeeper gloves. Individual and creative activities included hula hoops, jump ropes, badminton and table tennis sets, a bowling set, and dance pom-poms. Together, these resources give middle school students opportunities to stay active, learn new skills, and experience teamwork.

Why This Matters

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute’s Children in Statistics 2025 report, primary and secondary school completion rates in Türkiye exceed 90%, but high school completion drops sharply to around 80%. One in five high school-aged children leaves education without graduating; a stark reminder that education is increasingly becoming a privilege rather than a universal right.

36.8% of children aged 0–17 live at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
1 in 3 boys aged 15–17 is pushed into the labor market instead of continuing their education.
1 in 5 children leaves the education system without completing it.

These figures make clear why interventions like this one matter. Sports equipment is more than play: It is a tool for inclusion, motivation, and resilience. When children have reasons to look forward to school, they stay. When teachers feel supported and energized, their classrooms come alive.

Thank You

On a day that belongs to children, you helped give hundreds of them something they will carry into every recess, every gym class, and every moment they spend together on a field or court. Across schools near and far, including one at the very edge of the country, children unwrapped new equipment, teachers made plans, and classrooms got a little brighter. That is what your generosity looks like on the ground.

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Feb 23, 2026
Empowering Children Across Turkiye

By Gozde Arasl | Program Services Manager

“Following the disaster, our school remained closed for over a year, and while reinforcement and repairs were finally completed this year, we found ourselves entirely without educational materials. Your support has been a true lifeline for us. My students use every game and resource with immense joy, and on behalf of my school, my students, and myself, I would like to express our deepest gratitude. There are now dozens of children in Hatay who know your names and carry your kindness with them.”

These moving words from a teacher highlight the profound impact of your contributions. Her sentiment reflects the gratitude of countless teachers and students who have seen their classrooms transformed through your generosity. Thanks to your unwavering support, we can reach schools in need across Türkiye. We believe education is more than just books; it requires the dignity and comfort that allow a child to focus on their studies.

Between July 2025 and January 2026, your contributions provided essential winter relief and academic tools to hundreds of children. Specifically, we delivered schoolbags and stationery sets to 715 students, while also providing new winter boots and coats to 435 students. These figures represent more than just data—they represent a story of resilience. Every backpack delivered and every warm coat provided ensures that a child can attend school with confidence, warmth, and a sense of belonging.

Your support has served as a vital lifeline, empowering children across the country to pursue their futures despite the hardships they have faced. Each learning game and piece of equipment represents a child who can now continue their education with joy and security. On behalf of the families, teachers, and most importantly, the children of Türkiye, thank you for choosing to make a difference that truly lasts.

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