We are deeply saddened by the earthquake that struck southeastern Türkiye and resulted in the loss of many lives. Our condolences to those who lost loved ones. And we wish quick recovery to all of the injured.
Two massive earthquakes have struck the southeastern part of Türkiye and were felt in multiple countries. Severe damage and many casualties are reported. Türkiye has requested immediate international assistance. Our priority is the safety of kids. We mainly focus on children’s acute needs and ensure access to healthy food, water, and safe shelter. In sympathy with everyone in the area, please help us raise funds for those affected.
BTF's approach to supporting the relief efforts of the Turkish Earthquake will be delivered in four phases:
As the tragedy unfolds before us, BTF continues to send daily funds to local partners in the earthquake zone. BTF’s model is to seek out well-run, reputable, and trusted grassroots organizations to deliver much needed supplies. The largest such partner in the field for BTF is the AHBAP Association. The AHBAPs are in the field at all 10 Provinces of southeastern Türkiye, coordinating relief efforts with a strong central team managed out of Istanbul.
Additionally, BTF works with other smaller scale, community based, boutique organizations where direct payments to suppliers, such as tent manufacturers and food staple distributors are provided for drop shipments or for pick-up. Supplies are then distributed in the region by these trusted partners. Some of these organizations are TOKTUT, ODTÜ Alumni, Bütün Çocuklar Bizimdir, Lokman Hekim Saglk Vakf, Ihtiyaç Haritas. This list will grow over time, and 100% of the funds collected by BTF for earthquake relief will be disbursed in coordination with these local partners in the upcoming days, weeks and months.
We thank each and every one of the individuals, organizations, volunteers, and leaders contributing to this endeavor.
Bridge to Türkiye
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The most impactful day dedicated to giving, Giving Tuesday is approaching. As BTF, we are very excited about participating GivingTuesday, a global day of giving.
Every year BTF participates in the movement to provide better education to the underserved kids in Türkiye thanks to the circle of friends and donors’ support. This year, we aim to support village school students with educational class supplies and university students with scholarships. The goal is for these students to have the opportunity for a better future and be able to break the cycle of poverty.
We would like to share the details of the schools that we want to support below:
Gücükler Village Kindergarten – Bolu
In this economically distressed environment, teacher Handenur wants to provide hope for her students. She teaches at Bolu’s Gucukler village, where there has been no school for the last eight years, and children currently continue their classes in a divided room at a local mosque. This classroom needs books and educational toys to inspire the students to achieve their dreams. Would you like to support teacher Handenur and help eight village school students in need?
Karasungur Primary School - Diyarbakr
Without being in their shoes, it would be difficult to understand how it feels to be deprived of essential materials to let kids live their best, most fulfilled lives. Teachers Sehriban, Nalin, and Baran teach at a small school in Diyarbakr and wish to draw attention to the needs of their students. They are hoping for our support. These underprivileged students don’t even have access to primary school supplies, such as pencils, notebooks, school bags, etc. Classrooms also need science sets, math and intelligence games, and art supplies to improve students’ learning skills. It is in your hands to help them so our students don’t fall behind in their education.
Istiklal Primary School - Batman
Teacher Bahar believes that her students, like all other city students, should have access to contemporary education with the necessary tools and materials. She teaches in a school in Batman and tries to overcome the economic disadvantage felt by her 36 students. She needs your support. Her students are deprived of books, school supplies, school bags, sports kits, and educational toys. Your support will provide access to equal opportunity for her students!
Your support ensures we have the resources to connect students with the supplies they need to succeed in today’s world.
Join us to support rural classrooms with educational supplies they need, and help teachers create a bright future for their students.
“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” by Malala Yousafzai
Sincerely,
BTF Family
“Education can either make a nation live as a free, independent, glorious, high community; or leave it in captivity and misery.”
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
The assurance of ta bright future depends on a modern, comprehensive, and scientific education. To provide a quality education a society needs talented teachers that have good tools. The sooner the the teacher discovers students’ talents, the more likely that they will realize their full potential and grow up as socially beneficial individuals. Some students may be interested in art, while others may be interested in science. A society needs both to remain contemporary, productive, and successful.
Discovering a students’ interests and guiding them in the right direction is a teacher’s most essential and challenging responsibility. It would not be wrong to say that the duty of a teacher working in village schools in Türkiye is even heavier. Students living in rural and economically disadvantaged areas need more attention and support than their peers living in urban areas. Dedicated teachers play a substantial role here. Thanks to your support, our program reached to thousands of children in need, in solidarity with the teachers that are working in village schools.
As the BTF family, in the 2021-2022 school year, we sent Books4Kids sets to2627 students in 44 schools, SchoolBags4Kids with stationery supplies to646 students in 18 schools, Dictionaries4Kidsto1170 students in 11 schools, Science4Kids sets to4628 students in 27 schools, Math4Kids sets to 5416 students in 33 schools, Music4Kids sets to2956 students in 18 schools, Sports4Kids sets for 2965 kids in 10 schools, EducationalToys4Kids sets to677 students in 18 schools, Art4Kids sets to548 students in 22 schools, and SpecialCare4Kids sets to 45 kids in 4 schools, and established Science and Technology laboratories that will benefit 2370 students in 4 schools. Along with these, we have built libraries and provided book support to 6927 students in 19 schools, together with our dream partners in Türkiye.
Additionally, the needs of 243 children in schools in the natural disaster areas were met with 4Kids projects. This was accomplished with the $1000 Facebook’s disaster relief grant sent by GlobalGiving to BTF to support the areas affected by the fire disaster and floods in Türkiye. A full Science and Technology Lab was also established in a school located in the fire zone.
We cannot thank you enough for your support of village schools in need and their precious teachers. Thank you for choosing and trusting Bridge to Türkiye as a bridge to deliver happiness to so many children in Türkiye.
Education can indeed make a difference, and with your support we hope to reach and make a difference for more village children.
We wish you a great summer!
Dear Bridge to Turkiye Friend,
Would you like to be a hero this year for children on Children’s Day, April 23rd?
We make it possible by delivering educational sets to village schools on your behalf for children to celebrate Children’s Day…
Children’s Day, April 23rd is celebrated as a holiday in Turkey as it is a National Sovereignty and Children’s Day. This tradition was started by Ataturk in 1933, who is the founder of Turkish Republic. On that day, the children replace the members of the Grand National Assembly and hold a special session to discuss children’s issues and even sign executive orders relating to educational or environmental policies. This day was recognized by UNICEF in 1979 as Children’s Day. Since then, many countries started to send groups of their children to join in the festivities representing their local culture and even attend the children’s Grand National Assembly.
April 23rd is not only celebrated nationwide as National Holiday in Turkey but also by tradition kids receive gifts in celebration of this day. As Bridge to Turkiye, every year, we organize a campaign to make this day extra special for school kids who live in underprivileged areas in Turkey; and as a result BTF 23NisanGifts4Kids have come to life.
To celebrate this special day, we put together some of our 4Kids sets to help children celebrate. Our sets are Art4Kids, Backpacks4Kids filled with school supplies, Books4Kids; kindergarten and elementary level story books, EducationalToys4Kids, and Math4Kids. With the support of our donors, we have already started having them sent to schools.
BTF 23NisanGifts4Kids Sets:
1. Art4Kids—Kindergarten and Elementary School Set $250
2. Backpacks4Kids—$15 Each Backpack with school supplies
3. Books4Kids—Kindergarten Set $200 and Elementary School Set $300
4. Educational Toys4Kids—Kindergarten Set $500
5. Math4Kids—Elementary Set $400
Would you like to join us in celebrating this special day by sending BTF 23NisanGifts4Kids sets to village schools?
Links:
"Teachers are the one and only people who save nations." -- Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
Dear Bridge to Turkiye Friend,
2021-22 School Year started fast and getting busy as the semester progresses. We are excited to let you know what we have accomplished together since our last report. This is all because of your support and generosity... We are thankful and grateful for being able to reach out to so many students and teachers yet again in another school year.
Before the Fall semester ends in Turkey, we have already sent 16 sets of art supplies, 280 backpacks with school supplies inside, 6 sets of kindergarten level picture books, 10 sets of elementary level story books, 3 sets of middle school level story books and novellas, 703 personal dictonaries (Turkish-English-English-Turkish), 10 sets of educational toys, 8 sets of math games, 10 sets of musical instruments, 14 sets of lab supplies for science classes.
Thank you so much for your trust and generosity you have provided us to touch the lives of so many students and teachers over the years. With your support, we are hoping to reach as many schools as we could in the rest of 2021-2022 school year...
We wish you Happy holidays and a wonderful New year with your loved ones:-)
Love from Bridge to Turkiye Volunteers
Links:
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