Over the three years since the disaster of the century, buildings have risen and roads have been renewed, yet for the Bülbülzade Foundation, solidarity has never ended. The helping hand extended to the earthquake regions on the very first day has today turned into a bridge of hope, continuing to touch lives.
Exactly three years ago, on a cold February morning when the clock showed 04:17, Türkiye awoke to the deepest darkness in its history. In just seconds, thousands of stories were left unfinished, dreams were buried beneath piles of concrete, and screams hung in the freezing air. When we opened our eyes on the morning of February 6, 2023, none of us were the same anymore. That great pain rising across 11 of our cities still holds its place in our hearts, even after three years.
We commemorate every life we lost in the disaster of the century with endless love, infinite respect, and an indescribable longing. Their precious memory is the greatest motivation behind our efforts to keep hope alive in the region today.
WE HAVE DONE SO MUCH IN THREE YEARS
Within the scope of the “Life-Giving Jobs” project, supported by the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Türkiye and carried out by the Belkıs Association, we opened cooking and pastry workshops at our foundation.
Through the project “Be a Light for the Future: Education and Training Support Project for Youth Affected by Disaster,” supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye, we conducted a 10-month support program in the Nurdağı and İslahiye districts under the coordination of the Bülbülzade Association.
As part of the “For Happy Tomorrows” project, carried out by the Mosaic Association and supported by the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Türkiye, we organized cultural and artistic trips, picnic activities, and city tours.
We organized psychosocial and cultural activities to help earthquake-affected families hold on to life again.
In Nurdağı and İslahiye, we established Child Life Centers to reduce trauma caused by the earthquake, support education, offer children alternative spaces, nurture hope during the days spent in the disaster zone, and overcome difficulties together.
To support women’s participation in economic life and contribute to their social rehabilitation processes, we established tailoring and sewing workshops in İslahiye and Nurdağı.
Through the Vocational Qualification Courses we launched in Nurdağı and İslahiye, we supported citizens in gaining new skills and re-entering economic life.
We delivered your sacrificial donations to those in need by performing the sacrifices in the earthquake regions and set up large iftar tables during Ramadan. We strengthened our sense of brotherhood.
As part of our cultural initiatives, we opened Summer Schools in the earthquake regions.
OUR PROMISE STANDS: WE ARE WITH YOU
As the Bülbülzade Foundation, we never once withdrew the hand we extended to the region as dawn broke after that pitch-dark night, throughout the past 1,095 days. Yes, today buildings have risen, debris has been cleared, and life has begun to flourish again in our neighborhoods. But we continue to stand firmly behind the promise we made that day: “You will never be alone.” At a time when the physical traces of the earthquake are beginning to fade, we continue our work without interruption to ensure lasting social and emotional recovery in Nurdağı and İslahiye.
Cities can be rebuilt, roads can be reconstructed, but the void left by those we lost can only be filled with solidarity, love, and never abandoning one another.
May their souls rest in peace. Their memories will always live on with us.
