Refugee Rights Turkey Project #53793

Supporting Afghan Women and Girls on the Move

by Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization

Project Report | Nov 29, 2024
Education and Life Struggle

By ASAM | Project Leader

Afya, an Iranian-born Afghan citizen, experienced a long and difficult journey that changed her life and she achieved her dreams of education in Türkiye.

Afya was born in Iran and received education in this country until the 7th grade. Being of Afghan origin, she and her family faced many educational obstacles. Afra expresses the difficulties they experience by saying "We are Afghan that we couldn’t register for school or paid higher fees. Our access to education was limited due to economic impossibilities.". For these reasons, she returned to Afghanistan with her family in 2013.

However, life in Afghanistan was not as they expected. Afya said "We had difficulty adapting to Afghanistan because we grew up in Iran and could not access education here either.". Afra and her family experienced a constant feeling of insecurity in Afghanistan. These events forced them to migrate again and soon the family settled in Türkiye.

A New Beginning in Türkiye

Afya and her family who couldn’t speak Turkish, did not have an identity card for two years that they tried to live in difficult conditions in different provinces of the country. However, Afya learned Turkish quickly and set an example for her family. “My sisters and I were practicing all the time. We supported each other and focused on learning the language first, because we are safe in this country. We thought this was important to feel," she said. During this time, they met with Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization (ASAM) and attended workshops to learn Turkish.

Afya started her education in Türkiye in the 11th grade and proved her success in a very short time. In 11th grade, she received a certificate of appreciation and took the Foreign Student Examination in the 12th grade and she was accepted into the Department of International Relations.

Afya's two sisters both attach great importance to education life and they attract attention to be successful students. Despite the difficult conditions, the family sees education as a way out and this goal is making great efforts in this regard.

Afya applied to ASAM offices and received information about scholarship opportunities. She was also provided with guidance to schedule a doctor's appointment and benefit from health services. She was given detailed information about the treatment process and the Immigration Administration's procedures.

Afya's story provides hope for millions of refugee girls struggling with difficulties. Rebuilding her life with education and determination, Afya will achieve greater success in the future.

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

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Aug 2, 2024
The Young Woman's Story of Determination

By SGDD-ASAM | Project Leader

Amine, who came to Türkiye at the age of 16, explains the difficult times she went through and how she rebuilt her life.

Amine's success story draws attention with the support she receives through the Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization(ASAM) and the determination she shows.

Amine was 16 years old when she came to Türkiye and married her cousin. She had a child from this marriage, and over time her marriage started to go bad. Her husband treated Amine badly and he didn't care about his children. Amine, who met with the ASAM during this difficult period, said that her life experienced a turning point. Asam offered her an opportunity to train in an employment project.

She completed her vocational and language education thanks to ASAM and received psychological support. Amine had the opportunity to improve herself thanks to training and support. After completing her vocational training, Amine decided that her marriage could not continue. She filed for divorce with the legal support she received from ASAM. Amine became even stronger by gaining economic freedom in this process.

Amine thinks that both she and her ex-husband are happier apart. "I take good care of him and have seen his development with my own eyes," said Amine. She also stated that her daughter socialized with experts in ASAM's playrooms.

Amine expressed her feelings with the following words ‘ I always say it, let me say it again. We grew up in Asam’s center with my daughter. I am more hopeful now, I will do my best for my daughter. I'm doing it. I would like to thank all ASAM employees who provided.'.

Amine's story shows what can be achieved with perseverance and determination even under difficult circumstances and her story continues to give hope and courage to women and girls.

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

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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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