Build Laundry and Shower Facilities in Turkiye

Hello, this is Nuri Park from Peace Winds Korea.

It has been one month since we installed 10 washing machines in Tanisma village. Today, I would like to share a review of the project with our valued donors.

Reduced frustration among the people
First and foremost, it has been reported that the residents of the village, who were once filled with frustration, have experienced a noticeable change in their demeanor, marked by "gentle expressions and confidence." Those who used to easily get annoyed by the unbearable itchiness and foul odors have found themselves less stressed. Additionally, with the reduction in time spent on handwashing, the mothers, in particular, have experienced a decrease in stress and expressed gratitude for the valuable moments of rest.

Empowered mothers preparing for the future
Secondly, there has been a significant transformation among two women who are working for the laundry facilities in the community. A woman, a single mother raising four children, shared that she was now able to provide food and necessary school supplies for her growing children. Consequently, her children feel proud of their mother's efforts. Moreover, the other, who is three months pregnant, acknowledged the daunting reality she faced but expressed relief in being able to save a small amount of money for her child's future, which provided her with a sense of stability. Both of these mothers, representing the entire village, expressed gratitude for the support they received, even in meeting their basic needs that were often lacking in the past.

With the help of donors, the people of Tanishuma are getting out of the memory of the earthquake faster.
We appriciate our valued donors.

As always, PeaceWins Korea remains committed to making ongoing efforts in providing necessary support where it is needed.

Best regards,

Nuri Park.

Hello,

This is Nuri Park from Peace Winds Korea.

Today, I’d like to share the story of an interpreter who worked for a clinic in Tanisma, Turkiye.

Peace Winds is helping rebuild the town of Tanisma.

There are currently 5,100 people living in the village of Tanisma.

There is one clinic in Tanisma. A doctor from Peace Winds worked there, so an interpreter was needed to translate what the doctor said.

Interpreter Peace Winds hired is also a victim of the earthquake in Turkiye. "It's good to be able to help people," he said, adding that he has been working for a local volunteer group since the first day of the earthquake. Since his mother was an English teacher, he has become familiar with English.

"I think I'm lucky," the interpreter said, “because I didn't lose my family” he added. But he lost several friends. Also, he said that he took everything for granted, including his nice car, nice house, and even his relatives, but everything disappeared in just on day."I don't need anything special, I just want to be happy." Having experienced the earthquake, he now pursues small happiness.

Peace Winds plans to continue helping the village by providing food and daily necessities to the socially vulnerable, including women and the disabled, although our support for the clinic is over.

We would appreciate any support you can offer in our efforts to rebuild Tanisma and assist its residents.

Best regards,

Nuri Park

Hello, this is Nuri Park from Peace Winds Korea.

Peace Winds Korea visited two shelters and Tanisma village this week, and I will provide you with a comprehensive update on the news reported by the on-site team from March 28th to 30th.

During this period, Peace Winds Korea first visited Sakarya Cumartesi Semtpazari Cadir Kenti in Iskenderun, which accommodates about 1,200 people including 235 infants, children, and students. Middle and high school students attend school, while kindergarten and elementary school students take classes in educational tents in the tent village. The Peace Winds Korea team has heard that there is a significant shortage of infant/children underwear in this shelter. The residents continuously check for infant underwear, but there are none available, so children have to wear only pants without underwear.

The second place they visited was the Modern Evler Girisi Kurbam Pazari Cadir Kenti, where about 2,250 people stay and their information is managed as data. Although this shelter has various facilities including shower rooms, kindergarten/elementary school classrooms, a dining hall (food distribution room), and a hobby room, these are not enough for the people in order to enjoy their lives. The manager conveyed that they want to replace tents with containers for better hygiene and safety and need support for it.

Next, they visited Tanisma village, where they met the headman and medical staff working in a clinic under PWJ. The headman said that "80% of the village is destroyed" and is classified as a high-level earthquake damage area, and he expressed the most concern about hygiene due to the lack of shower and toilet facilities. Especially with the upcoming summer, he said that hygiene issues would worsen, so they need clean drinking water, containers, and shower/hygiene facilities.

Therefore, Peace Winds Korea started a laundry business, hoping that the people of Tanisma village can use even a little bit of clean clothes and bedding. They employed two villagers for better operation, and one of them, a widow, expressed her gratitude.

At the clinic, they learned that a disease called "Seabies" is currently prevalent, which is caused by mites and causes itching all over the body. The main cause is dirty pillows/blankets, and it is expected to worsen as the temperature rises in summer. In addition, there are asbestos caused by dust from collapsed old buildings or construction, and diabetes caused by accessibility issues.

One thing to be grateful for is that Peace Winds Korea raised awareness of the need for children's underwear and urgently promoted fundraising. Although the goal amount was not reached, a certain amount of donation money was collected and we were able to purchase children's underwear. It was both joyful to be able to distribute items that were really needed and regretful that the number was not sufficient. Peace Winds Korea will continue to strive to provide more support and we ask for your continued interest and support.

Best regards,

Nuri Park

Hello.

This is Nuri Park from Peace Winds Korea.

Currently, our emergency relief team is in Turkish camp to monitor there and one of the team member sent us an field report dated March 28.

I’d like to share the field report with our invaluable donors.

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<3/28 Turkey Field News (1)>

Camp Information

- Camp Name: Sakarya Cumartesi Semtpazari

- Information: Total of 184 tents, about 1,200 people (240 children)

- Needed Support: Children's shoes and underwear

- Needed Budget (estimated): 3,850 ~ 7,700 USD

It wasn't until the afternoon of the 28th that we arrived at the tent village in Iskenderun. We visited two camps that day, and the first one was called "Sakarya Cumartesi Semtpazari Cadir Kenti". 

About 1,200 people were living their daily lives in a total of 184 tents at this campsite. The camp area was divided into a laundry room, a health clinic, and a tent for education for children. From the moment we arrived until we left in our car, many children welcomed us.

There are currently 25 kindergarten students and 210 children from elementary to high school, so almost all tents have children. In a follow-up interview, the camp supervisor mentioned that the most urgent support items were "children's shoes and underwear". Although restoration is underway, there is still a shortage of shoes to provide at least minimum safety to children who walk on the broken roads. In particular, the situation of girls' underwear is also significantly insufficient.

The amount needed here is about 3,850 USD. This is the amount that can support shoes and underwear sets for about 294 children (the average shoe price: approximately 10 USD / the average underwear set price: approximately 3 USD). Can our support really help some children have a peaceful day? What was impressive was that the communication between this tent and other tents was active, and they have an well-established communication system to share enough support items with each other. The words of the supervisor, that similar situations exist in other tents, continued to linger in my mind.

It was a camp visit that left me with many thoughts and emotions, as we were endlessly escorted by the children on our way back.

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Thank you once again for your invaluable support! We will be sure to keep you informed about our work in the coming months.

Best regards,

Nuri Park.

A 46-year-old mortician who has been working at cemeteries in Turkiye for more than six years has buried an average of five corpses per day.

He buried 12 people on the first night of the February 6 earthquake. He buried 1,210 people in the 10 days following the earthquake. It's been a month since Peacewinds started providing supplies and medical support to Tanishma Village, Turkiye. Due to the forecast of storms in Turkiye, the clinic has been moved to a clinic in the saver village.

Peace Winds contacted the doctor who was running the pre-disaster clinic, and told him that Peace Wins is running the clinic in the village, the doctor said, that he gratefull for your support for the villagers and that PeaceWinds can use everything you need in the clinic.

It was also reported that since the earthquake occurred, there was a shortage of doctors throughout the affected area, and he was traveling to various villages to see doctors, so he could not return to Tanishma. He readily gave permission to use the clinic and expressed his gratitude.

When we were carrying our luggage to the clinic, people from nearby villages come together to help us clean and move our luggage. A nurse from Peacewinds expressed her gratitude, saying, "We are here to help, but we are being encouraged by the people of Turkiye village." In addition, the villagers expressed their gratitude and were relieved when they heard the news that the clinic they usually went to was completely restored.

There are many children in Tanishma village. The project leader doctor of the search medical group 'arrows' is also in charge of pediatric care in Tanishma village. The leader doctor said, “We need medical assistance, but there are many places that cannot be reached. It is a small town, but it is our role as an NGO to respond to the necessary needs. This was the situation. In fact, as the evacuation life continues in tents, the number of infections (children and families) such as colds and parasites is increasing. As a doctor, I want to help patients in trouble."

Another person Peacewinds doctor came to the emergency aid with a baby born a few weeks ago.

“There are many children here who are still young and born less than a few days old. Life in a tent is even more difficult due to the large temperature difference between day and night. I also want to do what I can as a father. I am just grateful to my family.”

Peacewinds will continue to support people in areas where medical care is not available.

To provide support where needed,

We will continue our support.

We need your help to keep going.