Gender Equality Turkey Project #21455

Send More Girls to School!

by Turkish Philanthropy Funds

Project Report | May 11, 2026
They Wrote This for You!

By Pinar Ozyurek | Director of Philanthropy

Dear TPF Donors,

Some stories don't need numbers to tell their truth. This one just needs you to read it.

Because of your generosity, girls across Türkiye are staying in school, discovering their voices, and daring to dream. Today, we want you to hear three of them — in their own words.

A future pediatric neurologist. A determined senior finding her footing. A nursing student who leads projects, performs in theater, and paints. These are the young women your generosity is standing behind.

They are not just studying — they are preparing to heal, to lead, to create, and to serve. And they carry your belief in them with every step forward.

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

Voices of Students

A Middle School Scholarship Recipient

“First of all, I want to defend the rights granted to me by the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in the best way possible. Unfortunately, our country is going through increasingly difficult times. When I take my profession into my own hands, I aim to touch as many people as possible, both materially and spiritually.

I desire to be remembered with sincere respect when my name is mentioned, to be remembered for my good works. My greatest dream is to make many people smile and especially to touch the lives of individuals with disabilities. Because they are very special to me.

I will become a specialist in pediatric neurology. Perhaps I can illuminate their path a little, contribute to them feeling better and stronger. How happy it would make me to be even a small light in their lives.

I want to bring beautiful things to my country, to be a source of hope for people. Because I am here on this land not just to live — but to leave a mark."

A High School Scholarship Recipient

"Hello,

I am a high school senior student. Throughout my education, I have placed importance on developing myself both academically and strengthening my personal qualities. My curiosity for learning, my desire to research, and the determination I have shown in reaching my goals have always carried me forward.

Throughout my school life, I did not only focus on my lessons; I also worked to develop myself socially, culturally, and personally. Thanks to my sense of responsibility, disciplined work habits, and problem-solving skills, I was successful in both individual and team efforts.

In the future, I aim to be a productive individual who continuously improves themselves and contributes to society with the knowledge and skills I possess. I believe that the opportunity you will provide will greatly contribute to both my academic and personal development.

I believe that with my self-confidence, desire to learn, and motivation, I will be able to overcome every challenge I encounter. I am certain that the support you will give me will play an important role in reaching my goals."

A University Scholarship Recipient

"Hello, I am a second-year student at Ege University Faculty of Nursing. Throughout my education, I have discovered the importance of contributing to society and taking an active role in social responsibility projects. In my first year, I took part as a project manager in a social responsibility project called 'Blue Transformation.' In this project, I had the opportunity to support many people in need by collecting bottle caps. This experience not only contributed to society but also greatly developed my teamwork and leadership skills.

Additionally, since my middle school years, I have had a great interest in theater. In the past, I played a role in a theater production called 'Hamlet,' and since that day I have wanted to develop myself further in this field. For this purpose, I frequently watch theater plays and try to join related clubs. I am aware of the importance art holds for me, and this year, through an assignment given by my teacher, I began attending art workshops. I first had the opportunity to paint, and this experience was very enjoyable for me. For this reason, I made the decision to attend art workshops once a month and continue doing painting or sculpture work.

Thanks to the support of Çagdas Yasam Dernegi (Association for Support of Contemporary Living), realizing these aspirations has become easier. Before applying to the association, I had researched the support they provide especially to girls, and this motivated me to apply. Now, I feel great happiness being one of the girls supported by Çagdas Yasam Dernegi, and in order not to waste this support, I try to add something new to myself every day.

By working with you, I aim to both participate in social responsibility projects and develop my skills in the art field. Thank you for your support"

Permalink

Jan 8, 2026
Thank you for standing with them, believing in them, and making education possible.

By Pinar Ozyurek | Director of Philanthropy

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

Permalink

Sep 9, 2025
You're Keeping Dreams Alive for Hundreds of Girls

By Pinar Ozyurek | Director of Philanthropy

Dear TPF Donors,

In Türkiye today, too many children are still being left behind in education. In 2024, over 612,000 children of school age were out of school, and nearly half of them — about 284,000 — were girls. For girls aged 15–17, the risks are even greater, as child marriage, economic hardship, and household responsibilities often push them out of school. Without support, far too many dreams are cut short.

Thanks to you, the story is different for hundreds of young women. Your generosity has opened doors to education and hope where the odds were stacked against them.

In the 2024–2025 academic year, together we supported more than 800 earthquake-affected students:

735 students through the earthquake relief scholarship program in partnership with CYDD (500 high school, 235 university). Of the 235 university students supported, 90 graduated with success. Among the high school students 8 of them graduated with success.
96 middle and high school and 47 university students across 27 cities, joined the TPF Stars Program and beyond academics, they gained vital 21st century skills — digital literacy, problem-solving, creativity, and leadership — equipping them for a stronger future.

These numbers reflect life-changing impact:

In earthquake-affected regions like Hatay, Adyaman, and Kahramanmaras, over 70% of high school students maintained averages above 70.
Across both programs, more than 90% of university students successfully continued their studies, with many achieving top GPAs.

Voices of Our Students

“After the earthquake, I thought my education was over. Thanks to this scholarship, I can continue my studies and believe in my dreams again. I want to become a teacher so I can give back to others, just as you have given to me.”

“My family could not afford to send me to university. Your support changed everything — now I am studying engineering, something I never thought possible.”

“This program didn’t just give me financial help; it gave me confidence. I learned digital skills and communication, and I feel prepared for the future.”

“Because of you, I no longer feel invisible. I know my education matters, and I want to use it to help my community.”

Behind each statistic is a young woman whose life has been transformed by your generosity. Together, we are preventing dropouts, keeping hope alive, and building a future where every girl can thrive.

From all of us at TPF, and from every student whose life you’ve touched — thank you for being a lifeline, a source of strength, and a beacon of possibility.

With deepest gratitude,
Team TPF

Permalink

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 12 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.