She did not ask for a new swing or an ice cream truck. Instead, she imagined a safe, shaded space where stray cats could curl up and nap peacefully.

Mustafa joined her idea, suggesting food and water bowls. Then Nergis asked, “What about the pigeons?” She imagined a space above, safely away from the cats, where birds could rest too.

And just like that, the idea began to grow. Together, they brought it to life with arts and crafts, building a small mock-up of what a playground could become—not just for them, but for every living creature around them. It was thoughtful, imaginative, and quietly powerful.

Together, the children began to build a model of their idea. With paper, paint, and their imaginations, a playground became something more: a place designed not only around what children wanted, but around how they saw the community around them.

The model took shape during an Urban School workshop at Hayat Park, where children gather to explore their city through creativity, design, play, and problem-solving.

At the heart of Playful Adıyaman, supported through the TPF Earthquake Fund and implemented by Şehir Dedektifi, is a simple idea: ask children what they think, and take their answers seriously.

That matters particularly in a city still living with the consequences of the February 2023 earthquakes. For children whose surroundings have been transformed by loss, displacement, construction, and uncertainty, the ability to imagine and influence the spaces around them can restore something important: a sense of agency.

And sometimes their ideas travel beyond the workshop.

When Zerrin and her friends were asked about public transportation, they talked about something they experienced regularly: feeling invisible on buses. Their response was to design a flyer reminding adults that children deserve the same respect and consideration as everyone else.

With support from the municipality, their message was displayed on buses across Adıyaman for a month.

A drawing created by children had entered the life of their city.

The project is designed to take that participation even further. A 10-member Children’s Advisory Council will create a formal channel for children to contribute their perspectives, while work with municipal staff will help strengthen the role of children’s voices in decisions about public spaces.

In earthquake recovery, rebuilding is often measured by what can be seen: homes, schools, roads, parks. But recovery is also about restoring people’s relationship with the places where they live.In a place where children have had to grow up around loss, uncertainty, and constant change, having a space to imagine, to create, and to be heard becomes something much bigger.

For children, that begins by knowing that they have a place in those conversations.

It becomes a reminder. That they are seen. That they are heard. And that they are deeply, truly cared for. And seeing their ideas become part of the city shows children that their voices can shape the world around them. 

It is through your support that these ideas find their way into the world.

Through Rights in Frame, Sulukule Volunteers Association brought together 45 children between the ages of 10 and 18 for 18 weeks of rights-based workshops designed to support their psychosocial recovery. Using play, movement, art, and conversation, the children explored their emotions, strengthened communication and self-confidence, learned about their rights, and built relationships with one another.

Building trust was an important part of the process. Children and families in earthquake-affected communities continued to navigate uncertainty, displacement, and the emotional consequences of the disaster. The workshops created a consistent environment where children could gather, ask questions, share their thoughts, build friendships, and gradually feel more comfortable expressing themselves.

For 15 of the children, that process eventually moved behind the camera.

Together, they developed a short film around the story of a sheep. At first glance, it was a simple story. But underneath was something the children understood deeply: what it feels like when decisions are made for you without your needs, feelings, or perspective being fully considered.

When asked what their film represented, the children described it simply as “rights and freedom.” And when they talked about freedom, they defined it in their own words as “not limiting the rights of others.”

The children took ownership of the creative process, shaping the story and contributing to stop-motion animation and voiceovers. Along the way, they navigated interruptions from flooding, electrical problems, weather, and other unexpected challenges. Each time, they returned to the work and continued creating together.

The result was more than a short film. It was a story shaped by their imaginations and experiences, told in their own voices.

The project culminated in a community screening where the children could share what they had created with others. TPF’s grant also supported child-safety training for civil society professionals working with children in post-disaster settings, extending the lessons of the project beyond the workshop itself.

In a period of their lives shaped by circumstances largely beyond their control, Rights in Frame gave children something that belonged entirely to them: the opportunity to decide what story they wanted to tell and how they wanted to tell it.

And this time, the adults listened.

For girls, recovery brought another challenge. The barriers they had faced before the earthquake did not disappear with the disaster. In many cases, uncertainty, economic hardship, and disruption made the need for safe spaces, support, and opportunities to be heard even greater.

Female dropout rates spike significantly around the 5th grade. Following the destruction of school facilities during the earthquake, many families increasingly withdrew their daughters from formal education. With limited job opportunities and deepening poverty, child labor and early marriage continue to be a reality for many girls.

Through a two-year grant from the TPF Earthquake Fund, Suna’nın Kızları created two Children’s Hubs in Antakya and Güzelburç where children could begin rebuilding something less visible but equally important: a sense of safety, confidence, belonging, and agency.

Şeyma was one of them.

At first, the Center was simply somewhere she could go. Over time, it became somewhere she could speak.

Through Girl Circles and other participatory activities, Şeyma and her peers were encouraged to think about their own lives differently. What made them feel safe? What did they need from the places around them? What would they change if someone actually asked?

The answers came from their own experiences.

They talked about hygiene, safe spaces, parks, and the everyday realities of navigating their communities as girls. They learned about their rights, explored their ideas through art, journalism, and participatory research, and began putting words to experiences they had not always been invited to express.Within the Circle, she learned to recognize herself, to stand up for her rights, to express herself, and to share her ideas freely. It was where she truly learned how to speak.

Most importantly, adults listened.

Their ideas did not remain inside the Center. Girls met with public institutions and local decision-makers, bringing their perspectives into conversations about the communities being rebuilt around them. What they built was not just confidence, but a community that is deeply connected, supportive, and unwilling to let go of one another.

For Şeyma, the transformation was personal. The Circle became a place where she learned to express herself, stand up for her rights, listen to others, and trust that her ideas had value.

But she was not doing it alone.

The girls formed friendships and a community of their own, supporting one another as they learned, questioned, created, and imagined what could come next.

Across the two-year project, the Children’s Hubs registered 536 children, including 335 girls, while school-based rights seminars extended the work to more than 5,200 children. Hundreds of workshops, structured well-being programs, and more than 1,100 hours of individual psychological counseling created multiple pathways for children to recover and grow.

But perhaps one of the most important outcomes cannot be captured by a number.

In the aftermath of a disaster, children are surrounded by decisions they did not make about where they will live, where they will learn, and what their communities will become.

Through Suna’nın Kızları, girls like Şeyma experienced something different.

They were asked. They were heard. And they began to see themselves not simply as children recovering from a disaster, but as people with the ability to shape what comes next.

More than three years later, its name has taken on an even deeper meaning.

They are still here.

As the needs of their community changed, so did their work. Emergency response gave way to helping small businesses recover, creating safe spaces for children, supporting young people, and responding to new challenges as they emerged. Through the TPF Earthquake Fund, we were the first to provide a grant to them and have supported Buradayız Hatay at different points along that journey, investing in locally led recovery that evolves with the community it serves.

Today, one of those investments is helping strengthen the Buradayız Hatay Youth & Community Hub, a place young people have increasingly made their own.

For many young people still navigating the disruption left by the earthquakes, including life in temporary housing, the Center offers something that can be difficult to find: a place that feels steady.

They come to study, participate in arts and cultural activities, receive support, volunteer, spend time with friends, and simply be together. What began as a place to study has gradually become something deeper: a home away from home.

Perhaps the clearest sign of what the Center means can be found in what happens when people begin giving something back to it.

One university student who had received support from Buradayız Hatay returned during the summer to help younger students prepare for their exams. He sat beside them, worked through questions, and shared what he had learned from his own experience.

A father who regularly brought his daughter to the Center found another way to contribute. He came back to repair and repaint its walls.

Neither gesture was part of a formal program. That is precisely what makes them meaningful.

They show what happens when people begin to feel that a space belongs to them. They care for it. They contribute to it. And eventually, they help create that same sense of support for someone else.

For Buradayız Hatay, recovery has never been about one project. It has been about remaining present as the needs around them change.

A study space becomes a community hub. Someone who once received support becomes the person offering it. A parent becomes a volunteer. And little by little, a place affected by extraordinary loss begins rebuilding something that cannot be constructed with bricks alone: connection, trust, and belonging.

Buradayız Hatay said it in its name from the beginning:

We are here.

And perhaps one of the most important measures of recovery is knowing that local organizations like this will continue to be here for the communities that call Hatay home.

Explore TPF Earthquake Fund

As YÖRET listened closely to practitioners across Hatay, a clear pattern emerged. What they needed was not just more tools but space: space to pause, to reflect, and to be human again. The program was designed to provide exactly that: a long-term capacity-building program for 30 psychosocial support providers working in post-earthquake Hatay. 

One of the first and most impactful activities was a residential workshop in Arsuz, designed specifically for long-time field workers. The location was intentional: no containers, no construction zones, no reminders of rubble—just the sea, open sky, and space to rest. For many, it was the first time since the earthquake that they had slept through the night without interruption. 

The days were gently structured—self-care workshops, body-awareness practices, and peer reflection sessions. Evenings brought simple comforts: shared meals, film nights, and long walks along the water.  Beyond rest, the workshop created space for guided supervision where participants could discuss complex, emotionally demanding cases in a safe and structured way. These sessions didn’t just offer professional guidance—they helped providers untangle emotional burdens they had carried alone for months. Peer learning and reflection reduced the quiet weight of isolation and reminded practitioners that their experiences—and their pain—were shared. At the heart of the program was a renewed commitment to self-care. Through body-awareness exercises, group activities, and simple daily routines, participants were encouraged to reconnect with their own well-being—not as a luxury, but as a professional necessity. In general, the program had both immediate and measurable impact. Providers reported increased confidence, improved coordination, and stronger ethical practice. They spoke about shifts in mindset and practice. For many, the greatest change was internal. 

By refilling the buckets of those on the frontlines, this program strengthened the entire psychosocial support system in Hatay. It ensured that care could continue, not through burnout and sacrifice, but through resilience, professionalism, and shared responsibility. 

Explore TPF Earthquake Fund

Gamze Ateş’s business, MyBeachySide, had offices in Adıyaman, Elâzığ, Adana and Diyarbakır. Each one was directly affected by the earthquakes, making the experience deeply personal for her and her team.

Gamze founded My Beachy Side to merge sustainable, fair trade practices with the rich crochet traditions of Türkiye, championing responsible business practices. Her goal has been to empower women financially through hand- crafting the company’s fashion goods.

The celebration of tradition 

Only 30% of women work outside homes in Türkiye and this number even goes down in Southern Türkiye. Gamze’s vision is to change that not just through employment but also through growth opportunities, leadership workshops, and making sure every woman she works with receives fair wages. She is also committed to sustaining the local economy and preserving the centuries-old textile legacy, primarily sourcing from independently-owned producers in the Buldan region. By using the traditional crochet techniques, which are done by hand, they aim to reduce their carbon footprint. But, for Gamze, in the middle of it all, lies the celebration of tradition and creativity of which the community she has built can take pride in.

Everything she has worked to establish for years crumbled down in a matter of few minutes with the earthquakes – her workshops, her community, and her dreams. All of the four workshops in the region were damaged. The largest devastation was in Adıyaman – 55 of the 60 women employed lost their lives. Despite all the challenges to reach the region, Gamze and her team in Istanbul immediately provided supplies to the survivors.

TPF steps in

Yet, she wanted to do more. Using her personal network and the close-knit community of My Beachy Side, she started a campaign with TPF. Her goal was not just immediate relief but to build sustainable, long- term solutions. She says “While many organizations were focusing on urgent needs, we wanted our funds to create lasting change.

We used part of the funds to set up a women’s center in Bayburt, a region unaffected by the earthquake but susceptible to migration. And, we will continue to create opportunities for women to be financially independent.

Gamze’s dream is to develop sustainable villages in Türkiye, keeping in line with the unique DNA of each region. She envisions a model village where sustainability is the central point, intertwined with rich social and cultural life, exceptional educational facilities, and a focus on the well-being of its residents. She believes this model can prevent migration to larger cities, preserve cultural values, and contribute to the local economy.

Gamze’s personal commitment to the cause is deeply rooted in her upbringing. As the daughter of a military officer, she moved from one town to another across Anatolia as a child. This will expose her to the unique charm of country living, with its rich traditions, agricultural practices, and close-knit communities. Her family valued community and giving back, viewing it not in financial terms, but as solving a problem or lending a hand. From early on in her life she has seen how philanthropic acts can create a domino effect, benefiting society at large. She says; “the drive to give back isn’t just altruistic; it’s deeply gratifying and creates a sense of fulfillment.” She works with TPF to take her vision to the next level and breathe life into these model villages she has been envisioning.

Gamze believes the earthquake’s aftermath was a stark reminder of our responsibilities. Through collaborative efforts and a focus on long-term solutions, she hopes to create a positive impact and help communities rebuild stronger than before.

PHOTO GALLERY

Aliye, an 18-year-old girl from Hatay, is a true survivor with incredible strength and a will to live. She was caught in the earthquake, like millions in the region, in the middle of the night. She proved herself to be a miracle as she was pulled from the rubble after two days, giving all of us hope in the darkest moments.

She made it out of the wreckage, which used to be her ‘home,’ but she had lost her mother and little brother. She also lost a part of her body—her leg. Despite the losses she encountered in one night, she did not lose the most important thing in life: the sparkle in her eyes.

Relocating to Adana with her father, who suffers from a serious heart condition, they found a new home with her aunt. In this new city, Aliye discovered the Children Wellness Center, a pioneering facility in Türkiye at Çukurova University dedicated to children with amputations.

This center offers vital treatments, prosthetics, and physiotherapy, empowering these young individuals towards independence and fulfillment. TPF played a key role in establishing this center, with its seed funding. Today, it has blossomed into a center that gives children who lost a limb a chance to excel in life.

Aliye’s commitment to recovery is evident; she never skips a session at the center, engaging in both physical and emotional rehabilitation. Known for her radiant smile and ever-present optimism, she moves through the center as a symbol of resilience, undeterred by the challenges of that fateful February 6th. Showing remarkable improvement, Aliye exemplifies the power of the human spirit and the importance of dreams and determination.

The center now serves 141 children from the region, providing comprehensive care and adapting prosthetics to the needs of their growing bodies.

These children, like Aliye, are reclaiming their lives, finding wholeness in their recovery journey. The Children’s Wellness Center, with its mission to expand nationwide, aspires to be a sanctuary of healing for all children in need of special care in Türkiye. We take pride in our ongoing support for this transformative haven, aiming to extend its reach and impact.

The day after the earthquake, a group of incredible Syrian refugee women connected with Kırkayak Kültür with a heartwarming idea. Their homes were intact, and thankfully, their families were not severely affected by the disaster. Seeing the immense needs of earthquake survivors, they rolled up their sleeves to address one of the region’s most urgent crises—food. Volunteering from their own kitchens, they managed to cook 4,000 meals daily, reaching as many people as they could. After a month, food was no longer scarce, but Gaziantep faced new challenges. Those who stayed behind needed jobs to support their families, and Kırkayak Kültür came up with a solution. 

Kırkayak Kültür, renowned for its work on gender equality and support for disadvantaged communities, once operated a small yet impactful kitchen in Gaziantep. This space brought together Turkish and Syrian women to connect and create, cooking and bonding over shared recipes. However, the kitchen was forced to close during the pandemic. In the aftermath of the earthquake, it was re-established with a renewed purpose: to support the local economy and sustainability while continuing to emphasize gender equality. This vision gave birth to Mutfakna, or “Our Kitchen.”

“Mutfak” means “kitchen” in Turkish, and “-na” translates to “our” in Arabic. With support from TPF and another institution, Mutfakna opened in Gaziantep as a small industrial kitchen. It operates with a team of six, serving freshly made Middle Eastern vegetarian dishes. Betül, a 26-year-old chef who had previously volunteered in the region, leads the kitchen. Kırkayak Kültür had met her while she was studying gastronomy and invited her to join the team. Betul crafted a unique menu that blends traditional Anatolian and Middle Eastern recipes, making Mutfakna a perfect example of the fusion between two rich culinary traditions and cultures, united under one roof.

Every day, Mutfakna contributes to the local economy by employing local staff, offering delicious food to those who remain in the region, and continuing to bridge different cultures. The kitchen also provides free lunch boxes for children and donates any leftovers to disadvantaged communities. Mutfakna stands as a testament to the power of unity and solidarity in the earthquake region, embodying the spirit of togetherness that has been so vital in these challenging times.

Thank you for being a part of this journey and for making Mutfakna and many other projects possible. Your support continues to make a lasting impact.

To have more information about Mutfakna, please click.

PHOTO GALLERY

Opened on May 23rd, TEGV’s Activity Center has become a sanctuary for children. Inside, there’s something for everyone: educational activities in newly built classrooms, arts and crafts workshops thoughtfully designed to aid in healing, and a library full of books to inspire and expand curious minds. It’s a place of wonder where disaster-struck children can heal and move forward. 

With a mission to support over 1,500 children in Gaziantep, TEGV’s Activity Center now echoes with laughter, and the joy is contagious. Volunteers, parents, and teachers have smiles on their faces as they see the progress children are making. We’re proud to stand with TEGV in their mission to provide equal educational opportunities and support the well-being of children after the disaster.