Hello everyone! My name is Tanya. I’m a volunteer from Russia! In mid-March, I arrived in Gaziantep for a volunteer project. It was my second ESC project and my second time volunteering in Turkey.As a volunteer in 2025, I experienced Ramadan firsthand in mid-March. I’d always wanted to visit a country where most people are fasting during Ramadan, and Bülbülzade Vakfı made this dream come true. This experience deepened my understanding of the cultural and religious traditions of Gaziantep’s people. During this blessed time, we helped prepare iftar in the camp for earthquake victims and in Gaziantep for orphans and teachers. Several times we visited hospitable colleagues. We also joined the active work at Bülbülzade’s social center.The highlight of this project for me was working at a secondary school. This experience truly changed me—I never imagined myself working with children, as I believed I was indifferent and unskilled at teaching. Turns out, I was wrong. The kids at the school were (and are) wonderful, kind, and—most importantly—curious and smart. They truly listened to us and eagerly participated in every activity we proposed. I grew very attached to them, and I hope I taught them something useful for their future, leaving a mark on their lives.Our mentors and the Bülbülzade team also did everything to make our leisure memorable! We visited museums, gardens, bazaars, and even went hiking and picnicking in the countryside. Turkey’s nature is breathtaking—worth visiting for that alone. We explored several provinces and collected countless amazing (and sometimes extreme!) memories.This project also gave me emotional support during a tough period in my life, so I’ll always remember this time with warmth and gratitude. I’ll never forget my colleagues and our team—they hold a special place in my heart. To everyone, I express my deepest thanks.Çok teşekkür ederim!

Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, together with the accompanying delegation, came together with Syrian civil society representatives at the “Common Future” meeting.In the meeting, which started with the opening speech of Serdar Çift, President of Ufuk Education Association, the problems experienced in the process of education, cultural development and voluntary return were discussed with the new period of Syria. In addition, the disruptions at the border gates and the situation of the students returning to Syria were expressed by the representatives.Hand in Hand for Goodness, Sun of Hope, Ummet and Charity Association, Damascus Orphans Association, Syrian opinion leaders, Syrian Family Minister Advisor, Aleppo Education Attaché Mustafa Onur, Reyhanlı District National Education Director Mehmet Ali Arslan and District Mufti Abdullah Doğan attended the meeting.

Within the scope of Bülbülzade Foundation's Summer Schools, in-service training was given to educators for the summer schools that will be held for students between 3rd grade and 8th grade throughout the summer.Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, made the opening speech of the program and informed the educators about the work of the foundation and all the summer activities to be held. After the speech, Summer School Coordinator Cumali Kaplan explained the past and present of summer schools. Mustafa Al Hüseyin, President of Gaziantep Syrian Community, made a presentation about the educational activities to be carried out in relation to the Anatolian Cultural Centers in Syria. Finally, Hatice Neşe Çandır gave information on methods and techniques in teaching religion, values and morals.Following the speeches, workshops on the Holy Quran, alphabet teaching workshop, the life of our Prophet and the values that grow with worship were held with the trainers. They were also informed about the duties and responsibilities of assistant trainers.In addition to the foundation center officials, the program was attended by the representatives of Bilimder, Semti İbrahimli, Earthquake Region Coordinatorship, Anatolian Cultural Center in Gaziantep and Syria, Media Unit, Katre Art and Science Center, İstikrar Sports Club, Resurrection Association, Netder and Touch Life Orphan Association.

Touch Life Orphan Association organized a special thank you concert for the mothers who volunteered as part of the Traditional Spring Festival. In the event held with the participation of volunteer musicians from Katre Art and Science Center, mothers were offered an unforgettable musical experience.In the concert, which also included requested songs, kanun and guitar performances were highly appreciated. The mothers enjoyed a day full of music and were thanked for their voluntary support. At the end of the concert, gratitude was expressed to all mothers for their dedication and contributions as volunteers.

A capacity building and first aid training seminar was organized for young people in Nurdağı within the scope of the “Be a Light for the Future” project supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and carried out by Bülbülzade Association. In addition to the students, our ESC volunteers participated in the seminar given by the Turkish Red Crescent.Organized by Bülbülzade Foundation Earthquake Region Coordinatorship, the seminar was attended by students in the earthquake zone as well as short and long-term volunteers from abroad within the scope of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). In the training seminar given by the Turkish Red Crescent, starting from ensuring environmental and personal safety, the methods of approaching the patient or injured person in the right way were emphasized. How to control consciousness and the Heimlich maneuver to be applied in case of complete obstruction were explained in detail. In addition, different types of bleeding and the first aid practices to be performed in these cases were explained in the training. Emphasizing the negative consequences of wrong interventions, how to behave in moments of fainting and shock, how to give the shock position correctly were explained with examples. Finally, types of burns and first aid steps to be applied in burns were shared; participants were informed about what common mistakes can cause.

Deputy Governor of Damascus Musab Badawi and representatives of Damascus Governorate visited our foundation. During their visit, the foundation received information about our work.Within the scope of the visit, detailed information about Bülbülzade Foundation's migration and adaptation activities in Turkey and Syria was shared and it was emphasized that it is ready to transfer its experience in Anatolian Cultural Centers to Damascus. In addition to the representatives of Damascus Governorate, BEKAM President Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu and Gaziantep Syrian Community President Mustafa Al Hüseyin attended the visit.

The sessions of the 2025 “Summer Activities” meeting organized within the scope of Bülbülzade Foundation's cultural activities continue with the participation of the relevant units. Representatives of the Anatolian Student Union, Education Teacher Unit, Secondary Education, Mosaic, Character Education at Home (EKE), İslâhiye Earthquake Zone, Migration, İstikrar Sports Club, Media Unit, Katre Science and Art Center, and Bilim-Der and Semt-i İbrahimli Association, which are member associations, attended the meeting.During the meeting, the planning of social, cultural, artistic, sportive and nature-based activities to be held between June 30 and August 01, 2025 during the summer season was discussed. In addition to Quran, Siyer, Etiquette, Basic Religious Knowledge, Philosophy for Children, STEM, Universal Signs and English with games within the scope of values education; art and sports activities such as science festival, pool activity, music courses were planned. Camp activities were also planned in various regions of Gaziantep. At the same time, the current and completed activities were evaluated and consultations were made regarding the process.

The “English Speaking Club” program organized by the Center for Science Education Culture Research (BEKAM) has started. The English Speaking Club, which consists of three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced, is carried out free of charge by professional volunteers who come to our country from abroad as part of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC).The program, which aims to provide participants with both English grammar and speaking practice, will continue three days a week throughout the summer months.

Summer School 2025 offers a comprehensive summer education program full of sports activities and art workshops for students from 3rd to 8th grade.June 30 - August 1, 2025 is the deadline to apply for the summer school: June 28, 2025.Click here for the application.