ESC volunteers within Bülbülzade Foundation contributed to social solidarity through social support and cleaning activities carried out in areas affected by the earthquake.Within the scope of the ESC-51 project, supported by the Turkish National Agency and implemented under the coordination of Bülbülzade Foundation, international young people staying in Gaziantep took their activities to disaster-stricken areas. The team launched a comprehensive solidarity initiative in Nurdağı and İslahiye, which were affected by the earthquake, with the aim of improving educational environments and supporting social life.SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITYEducational institutions were among the most important stops in the region. Rolling up their sleeves to enable students to continue their education in healthier environments, the young volunteers actively participated in school cleaning and furniture-moving activities. The international team, which made great efforts in reorganizing educational environments, demonstrated great dedication by working shoulder to shoulder with the local community in physical improvement activities.AN EXAMPLE OF UNIVERSAL SOLIDARITYThe main focus of the activities was children affected by the earthquake. Various social and cultural activities were organized to lift the spirits of the little ones and increase their motivation. Spending a long time with the children, the volunteers provided them with strong support during this difficult process. At the same time, team members who communicated directly with local residents engaged in conversations with disaster victims and shared in their hardships, setting an example of universal solidarity.

International young volunteers in Gaziantep under the ESC-51 project, carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation and supported by the Turkish National Agency, are organizing English Speaking Clubs.International volunteers who came to the city within the scope of the European Solidarity Corps ESC-51 project carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation aim to eliminate language barriers for children and young people through English Speaking Clubs. The project takes foreign language learning beyond the boundaries of a theoretical curriculum and turns it into an active part of daily life and intercultural communication. In this way, young people gain an international vision and prepare for the future better equipped.NATURAL COMMUNICATIONThe English Speaking Clubs, which bring participants together at different locations across the city, are held at three different centers: Bülbülzade Foundation, Şehit Cuma Akıl Anatolian Imam Hatip High School, and Pusula Book & Café. These clubs offer children and young people the opportunity to experience English not merely as a set of rules taught in schools, but as a natural means of communication. Participants have the chance to converse directly with people from different countries, practice speaking, and increase their confidence in communicating in a foreign language. While language learning is blended with cultural interaction and social communication, children's perspectives on the world broaden and their curiosity about different ways of life is encouraged.CULTURAL AWARENESSAt the heart of the project are well-equipped volunteers who come from various countries around the world and share their knowledge and experience with young people in Gaziantep. Oussama Hannouch, an Italian software engineering student of Moroccan origin, leads English Speaking Clubs for adults while actively taking part in activities at Şehit Cuma Akıl Anatolian Imam Hatip High School. He also contributes to the project's international visibility by regularly producing content for social media. Yasmeen Al-Abdallat, a Jordanian medical graduate, provides certified first aid training and Qur'an recitation courses by drawing on her area of expertise, in addition to her training sessions at the language clubs. Carolina Domingos, a Portuguese biomedical sciences graduate, also adds value to young people's cultural vision by participating in club activities at Şehit Cuma Akıl Anatolian Imam Hatip High School. In addition to developing young people's language skills, this internationally diverse team lays a strong foundation for them to gain global awareness.

The speaking club, which brings Gaziantep University students together and turns foreign language practice into an enjoyable experience, has opened its doors.The “English Speaking Club” project, launched in cooperation with Bülbülzade Foundation, BEKAM and Anadolu Student Community, set out with the aim of supporting young people in overcoming language barriers. Meeting in the warm atmosphere of Pusula Book & Café, located on the Gaziantep University campus, young people have the opportunity to improve their language skills while socializing. This meaningful series of events, which started on October 6, 2026, opens brand-new windows into the lives of the participants.A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCETrying to speak a new language often becomes difficult due to the fear of making mistakes. However, this club has been carefully designed to completely eliminate this concern. Young people come together in a sincere environment where they can make mistakes without fear, have fun and feel more confident while communicating in everyday situations. The program, which places sincerity at the heart of speaking English, takes the academic stress off the students’ shoulders and turns the learning process into a great experience.LET YOUNG PEOPLE EXPRESS THEMSELVES FREELYThe meetings, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 17.00 and 18.00, offer a warm break after busy classes. We are very happy to stand by our young people, who are the assurance of our future, with all our means so that they can build stronger connections with the world and express themselves freely and confidently. Students who wish to join the event can fill out the application form below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2PF1FluDH7n9uYFWArv4g0Wn7_qf9rlgSWcBAVvU_RzYimg/viewform

Şafak Radio, one of Gaziantep’s long-established media organizations, announced its new broadcasting season with the participation of local press members.Şafak Radio, operating under the Bülbülzade Foundation, held its 2026-2027 broadcasting season launch meeting at Zade Life Hotel. Officials from the Bülbülzade Foundation and the Middle East Media Communication Center (OMİM), program producers, radio broadcasters and leading representatives of the Gaziantep local press attended the meeting. The radio’s new-period vision, which aims to build a bridge from the past to the future, and its current projects that will meet with listeners were presented to the participants in detail as part of the launch.INTEGRATED BROADCASTING AND UNINTERRUPTED INTERACTIONDuring the launch, information was shared about the OMİM Media Academy vision and the steps of digital transformation in radio broadcasting. It was stated that the new-period strategy is based on integrated broadcasting and uninterrupted interaction. It was emphasized that the traditional warmth of radio would be blended with the interactive speed of the digital world. It was stated that, beyond being merely a medium that addresses its listeners, the aim is to establish a dynamic broadcasting model that shapes the city’s cultural and social rhythm and maintains a presence on every platform.The prominent programs of the new season that raise social awareness are as follows: Starting the Day with Şafak, The Voice of Dots, Ayıntap Conversations, Sports Hour, 2 Arada, One Hadith One Life, The Voice of Bilimder, The Color of Life, Building the Generation, Young Perspective, Matters Run Deep, Little Stars, Garden of Hearts, Publication Notes and The Trust of the Earth.MULTIFACETED AREAS OF WORKIn the evaluations made by the foundation’s administrators at the meeting, attention was drawn to the institution’s broad vision. It was stated that Zade Life Hotel is part of the foundation complex, and it was emphasized that the foundation’s multifaceted areas of work, extending from children to young people and educators, provide strong content support to the radio. In addition, it was announced that a new radio station will soon be established within the Aleppo Anatolian Cultural Center, and it was noted that their broadcasting vision extends beyond borders.OUR AIM IS TO LEAVE A PLEASANT SOUND BEHINDThe prominent figures of the city who attended the program drew attention to the critical role of radio broadcasting in preserving cultural heritage. Program producer Hüseyin Rahmi Açıkkol summarized the mission of the radio with the words, "We need to produce programs that tell the memory of Gaziantep’s history and bring this to young people. Our aim is to be able to leave a pleasant sound behind in this dome that will remain forever." Researcher and writer İbrahim Alisinanoğlu described radio as a strong bond between the past and the future, emphasizing its place in social memory by saying, "Radio is a tool that transfers sound to memory, memory to conversation, and conversation to collective memory."Researcher and writer Asım Mıhçıoğlu, on the other hand, pointed to the importance of preserving local cultures and regional dialects, stating, "Our regional dialects, ways of speaking and cultures have begun to resemble one another. We should pay attention to our cultural differences and produce programs on this subject."The event ended with congratulatory messages from local press members and a commemorative photograph taken in memory of the day.