The mothers of students receiving scholarship support from the Hayata Dokun Association were hosted at a program held at the Winter Garden of Bülbülzade Foundation.As part of the scholarship program that the Hayata Dokun Association continues to provide for university students, a new series of social activities has been launched for the students' mothers. At the first gathering, organized at the Winter Garden hosted by Bülbülzade Foundation, the aim was to increase mothers' participation in social life and strengthen communication among them. Through the program, a common platform was established where mothers could step away from their daily routines and take time for themselves.A MANIFESTATION OF THE CULTURE OF SOLIDARITYAt the first of the meetings, which are planned to be held regularly on the last Friday of each month, various briefings were provided about mothers' living conditions and the situations they encounter. With mutual exchange of ideas at the forefront, participants had the opportunity to share their own experiences with other mothers. This structure aims to support mothers in many areas, from family communication to adaptation to social life.Through this newly launched series of gatherings, contributions are being made to the personal and social development of mothers, while the culture of solidarity that emerges aims to positively support family bonds as well.

We spoke with Fatma Eminoğlu, Head of the Volunteer Unit at Bülbülzade Foundation, about the foundation’s long-standing journey of volunteerism and the social impact of doing good without expecting anything in return.Although individual efforts are valuable, the social impact created by solidarity always leaves a much stronger and more lasting mark. Bülbülzade Foundation, which has based its work on the principle of selfless effort since its establishment, continues to expand collective goodwill across a wide range of fields, from education to social assistance. Established with the aim of bringing years of experience into a more systematic structure, the Volunteer Unit both provides support in areas where it is needed on the ground and strengthens the bonds within this large family by increasing participants’ motivation. We met with Fatma Eminoğlu, Head of the Foundation’s Volunteer Unit, to discuss what unity of effort means in civil society, the role of young people in this process, and how steps taken without expecting anything in return touch people’s lives.How do you define volunteering as the Head of the Volunteer Unit at Bülbülzade Foundation?I define volunteering as an effort to contribute to life solely through one’s own inner motivation, even when there is no obligation to do so. Here, as the Volunteer Unit, we aim to create new opportunities for such people in order to make their work easier and increase their motivation.What kind of activities do you carry out within this unit?Bülbülzade Foundation is, in fact, an institution that has carried out its activities on the basis of volunteering since its establishment. It continues to work with a large volunteer network, alongside many professional staff members. As Bülbülzade Foundation, we have never interrupted our work in the fields of education, culture and social activities, particularly our efforts aimed at disadvantaged groups. The Volunteer Unit was established to make the volunteering aspect of the work carried out in these fields over the years more systematic and sustainable. We carry out activities both to find volunteers for areas in need and to provide orientation for these volunteers, as well as to develop the capacities of our existing volunteers and strengthen their psychological resilience.WE ALWAYS SUPPORT OUR VOLUNTEERSWhat exactly does volunteering at Bülbülzade Foundation involve? What kinds of tasks can someone who volunteers here take on?Bülbülzade Foundation has been an institution working with volunteers since its establishment. Many of my colleagues and I have volunteered here for years and continue to do so. Anyone who wishes to take part in a volunteering activity can join the areas in which we work with volunteers, either through our website or by directly contacting Bülbülzade Foundation volunteers. For example, if someone wishes to volunteer in activities related to assistance or orphan support, we can immediately direct them to the relevant unit if there are tasks they can undertake there.For instance, we have a clothing assistance store, and there are many defined tasks within this store. We need volunteers for each of the following areas: conducting social assessments to identify assistance needs, finding people who can provide aid, barcode labelling, organizing the store, distributing aid, organizing children's activities during aid distribution, identifying and supporting children with limited access to education, strengthening the psychological resilience of volunteers working here, and reporting. Alternatively, if someone wishes to volunteer in the field of education, we can easily reach people with limited access to education during our orphan support and assistance activities. We can provide spiritual, social and school-related educational support for our children in at-risk groups. When our volunteers inform us of the days, hours or areas in which they can provide support, we assign them to suitable activities. We also have a forest called Kurtuluş Forest. We direct people who wish to participate in environmental activities to our forest.What are your expectations of people who will volunteer at Bülbülzade Foundation? What criteria do you have?Every institution naturally has its own institutional culture and standards of representation. As Bülbülzade Foundation, we prefer to work with people who will not harm our institutional reputation. We first introduce our institution to those who apply to volunteer and explain our working principles. We expect our volunteers to act in accordance with these principles, to participate in an activity they have committed to whenever possible until it ends, and not to make any statements or promises on behalf of our institution without consulting the authorized personnel. At the same time, we always strive to maintain a supportive attitude towards our volunteers and to ensure that their boundaries are not violated.YOUNG PEOPLE ARE OPEN-MINDED TOWARDS CIVIL SOCIETYWhy should people volunteer at Bülbülzade Foundation? What opportunities do you offer? What benefits can someone gain by participating in activities here as a volunteer?In fact, volunteering is something done without expecting anything in return. We believe that we are creating goodness for people here. Human communities (and we can also include institutions in this definition) can come together and produce more good than people could produce on their own. We essentially make it easier for people to get involved by allowing them to join an existing system. At the same time, we provide social environments. We attach great importance to the sustainability of our activities. For example, someone who wishes to contribute to our assistance activities may also want to participate in other social and educational activities as a result of the wonderful friendships they develop, and this makes our team very happy. Our social bonds grow stronger as we gradually become a larger family. Recently, support for volunteer participation has been increasing both in Türkiye and in other countries. We prepare certificates of participation so that people who take part in our activities as volunteers can document their participation.How do you think young people’s approach to civil society has changed in recent years? What do you generally observe?I view young people’s participation in and approach to civil society positively because they are more open-minded. The activities they participate in develop them both in terms of experience and competence throughout their lives and can also contribute positively to their career paths. For this reason, young people naturally may wish to have their volunteering activities documented more frequently. Since Bülbülzade Foundation is also an institution that has been granted public-benefit status, it can readily meet these requests from young people. It is also preferred because it offers many areas in which they can carry out social responsibility projects.

The Bülbülzade Foundation brought young people together with the skills that will prepare them for the world of tomorrow through an event organized at Gaziantep University Pusula Bookstore as part of Erasmus Days.Celebrated with great enthusiasm every year across Europe, #ErasmusDays was brought to life in Gaziantep through the ESC51 volunteers of the Bülbülzade Foundation. Organized to raise awareness of the program and encourage young people to benefit from international opportunities, the gathering took place at Pusula Book & Café on the Gaziantep University campus, with strong participation from university and middle school students.LIFELONG LEARNINGThe event was shaped around this year's main theme, “Future Skills.” While participants were introduced to key competencies that would enhance the quality of education, training, and lifelong learning, particular emphasis was placed on how individuals can adapt to a rapidly changing world. Thanks to the interactive presentations and question-and-answer sessions held as part of the program, young people had the opportunity to ask experts directly about the topics they were curious about.At the event, which aimed to promote the outcomes of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) and Erasmus+ projects, informative brochures providing guidance to potential beneficiaries were distributed. The gathering, which broadened young people's horizons and opened doors to global opportunities, received full marks from participants with its dynamic atmosphere.

Pusula Book & Café, located on the Gaziantep University campus and operating under the Bülbülzade Foundation, has reopened its doors to students with an entirely new concept.One of the most frequented spots on campus for young people, Pusula has resumed operations with a fresh new energy following a meticulously carried out renovation process. Offering students the deep silence and opportunity to focus they need while preparing for midterm and final exams, the venue also boasts a spacious architectural design and a welcoming atmosphere. Here, young people can find comfortable study areas that help ease their academic burdens while also enjoying conversations and socializing with friends during breaks between classes.FLAVORS FROM ZADE LIFE HOTELOf course, the delights offered by the venue are not limited to its spacious atmosphere. The delicacies served to students in need of energy throughout the day are prepared by skilled hands in the kitchen of Zade Life Hotel, another affiliate of the Bülbülzade Foundation. Arriving fresh at Pusula every morning directly from the hotel's kitchen, these products leave delicious tastes on young people's palates with a quality that inspires the same confidence as homemade food.AN INTELLECTUAL MEETING POINTGoing far beyond being merely a place to rest or eat, Pusula proudly continues its mission as a hub of culture. Book sales continue uninterrupted at the venue, which also hosts numerous intellectual gatherings that nourish the mind. Book analysis sessions where young people come together to broaden their horizons, inspiring magazine reading sessions, and English conversation clubs that provide opportunities to practice keep the spirit of the café alive. Pusula Book & Café will continue to be a warm and welcoming home where young people read together, engage in discussions, and prepare for tomorrow with hope in the new term.

Students recharged their spirits ahead of their midterm exams during the Mardin trip organized by AÖB Gaziantep on October 24. This special route, where history and culture intertwine, offered young people an unforgettable experience.The Gaziantep branch of the Anatolian Student Union (AÖB) organized a comprehensive trip to Mardin for university students on October 24. Aiming to help young people relieve stress ahead of the upcoming midterm exams and become better acquainted with the region’s rich historical heritage, the event took place in the captivating atmosphere of Mesopotamia.THEY EXPERIENCED ANCIENT HISTORYThe tour program began in the district of Midyat, renowned for its stone craftsmanship. The students explored Midyat’s enchanting stone mansions and the famous Sıla Mansion with great admiration. Following a pleasant walk through Midyat’s narrow and authentic streets, they observed the intricacies of the telkari (filigree) art firsthand at the Silverwork Bazaar. Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the region’s most important centers for faith tourism, was also among the special stops where the young people experienced its ancient history.A WELCOMING ATMOSPHEREFollowing the monastery visit, the group headed to Beyaz Su for a break surrounded by nature. The cool waters and tranquility of nature helped the young people forget the fatigue of the journey. Continuing the program, they embarked on a journey through time among the mysterious ruins of Dara Ancient City, known as the “Ephesus of Mesopotamia.” Upon arriving in central Mardin, students were welcomed by the lively and embracing atmosphere of Culture Street and Art Street.From Cumhuriyet Square, the young people admired the city from above and, during their free time, had the opportunity to independently discover Mardin’s local delicacies and cultural richness. Having both mentally unwound ahead of exam week and felt the deep-rooted heritage of Anatolia in their hearts, the students returned to Gaziantep with fresh smiles on their faces.

A delegation consisting of representatives of civil society organizations visited Bülbülzade Foundation and held important consultations.Managers of civil society organizations and opinion leaders from various regions of Türkiye gathered in Gaziantep. Civil society representatives who attended the “Terror-Free Türkiye” program organized by the Foundation for Voluntary Organizations of Türkiye (TGTV) in Gaziantep paid a visit to Bülbülzade Foundation with broad participation. During this gathering, key issues such as the strength of civil society on the ground, its future, and institutional social solidarity were discussed in detail.EXPERIENCE SHARINGThe visiting delegation included many experienced and young figures from the civil society sector. Deputy Secretary General of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW), Dr. İbrahim Altan, and President of Mehir Foundation, Mustafa Özdemir,Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dalgıç Solidarity Foundation, Şaban Odabaşı, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Rıdvan Hoca Foundation, Seyfi Pınarbaşı, President of AKADDER, Rabia Aldemir, Kahramanmaraş Representative of Mehir Foundation, Rana Müştekin, İlyas Göbebakan, and Attorney Betül Kırmacı were among the delegation members who shared their experiences at this gathering.YOUTHFUL RENEWAL IN CIVIL SOCIETYThe main agenda items of the meeting included steps toward rejuvenation in civil society, the active representation of women in management and field activities, and strengthening social solidarity networks. Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir briefed the delegation on the foundation’s ongoing field activities and projects developed for the benefit of society. Drawing attention to the foundation’s vision in the field of civil diplomacy, Aldemir emphasized the importance of civil society organizations acting together.