Young volunteers from all around the world who have come to Gaziantep במסגרת the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) contribute to the city while closely experiencing Turkish culture through the work they carry out under the umbrella of our foundation.
For the past month, Gaziantep has transformed into a center of solidarity and cultural interaction for young volunteers coming from different geographies. Through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), volunteers who have joined our foundation’s projects are both reaching out to the local community with their active fieldwork and discovering the depths of Turkish culture. While producing social benefit, they are also adding new layers to their personal development journeys. This diverse group of volunteers, ranging from Ukraine to France, from the Netherlands to Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina, describes their experience as an educational and inspiring journey.
A HIGHLY ENRICHING EXPERIENCE
The volunteer team does not limit their activities in the city to theoretical training but becomes directly involved in real life. In particular, visits to earthquake-affected areas and social responsibility programs leave deep impressions on the young participants. Azerbaijani volunteer Ali Ghuliyev emphasizes that visits to earthquake zones and the connections established with local people in speaking clubs have left a very positive impression on him. French volunteer Sheyma Achir describes this process as a highly enriching experience filled with concrete steps taken in the field of humanitarian aid.
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY
The multinational structure formed under the roof of Bülbülzade Foundation has also turned into a learning environment for volunteers. Ukrainian Viktoria Kotelevets enjoys the sincere atmosphere provided by the foundation and being together with people from different nations, while Dutch volunteer Elisa Dijkhuis considers the past few weeks as a highly educational and inspiring period. Expressing her gratitude for every moment she spent in Gaziantep, Dijkhuis is joined by Emir Fojnica from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fojnica states that personally experiencing Turkish hospitality and being part of these activities is a great opportunity to develop his personal skills.
WE ARE BUILDING BRIDGES OF SOLIDARITY EXTENDING INTO THE FUTURE
This international mobility project carried out by the Bülbülzade Foundation not only enhances the professional competencies of young people but also builds lasting bridges of friendship between different regions. Young people who learn Turkish culture on site and actively take part in concrete aid activities carry messages of solidarity and brotherhood from Gaziantep to the world. This platform provided by the foundation continues to combine local development with global volunteering awareness.
