Vodafone Turkey Foundation and Mother Child Education Foundation to Open Child and Family Centers in Earthquake Zone

Vodafone Turkey Foundation and Mother Child Education Foundation (AÇEV) took action for those affected by the earthquake. Child and Family Centers will be set up in Adıyaman, Gaziantep and Hatay to support the well-being of children, parents and women. The project aims to reach 4,500 children and parents along with 2,500 young women in a year. The first center as part of the project was set up in Adıyaman.

Vodafone Turkey Foundation and Mother Child Education Foundation (AÇEV) launched a new project to support the people of Kahramanmaraş and Hatay following the earthquakes in these regions. As part of the project, Child and Family Centers will be set up in Adıyaman, Gaziantep and Hatay to provide psychosocial support to children, parents and women, strengthening parents in their parenting roles and gaining skills to support their children in this process, and empowering young women. The centers will be equipped with a library of toys and books to reach all children living in container cities. Workshops focusing on fun and art will be organized for 3-4 and 5-6 year olds, and sessions will be held to support parental well-being and communication with children. Support and empowerment programs will be carried out for young women living in container cities. The project aims to engage 4,500 children and parents along with 2,500 young women in a year.

The first center, as part of the project, was opened in Adıyaman with a ceremony attended by Ali Mantı - the Deputy Governor of Adıyaman, Engin Aksoy - the CEO of Vodafone Turkey, Hasan Süel - the Chair of Vodafone Turkey Foundation, Ayşecan Özyeğin Oktay - the Chair of AÇEV Board of Directors,and Senem Başyurt - the General Manager of AÇEV.

Engin Aksoy, the CEO of Vodafone Turkey, said:

"We are in a time when the importance of solidarity and cooperation have never been clearer. We keep working steadily in the disaster zone. Now, in collaboration with AÇEV, we are launching a new and extensive project for children and their parents, as well as women. In the centers we will open as part of the project, we will carry out many activities to support and empower children and women affected by disasters. In addition to the scientific-based education programs of AÇEV, Vodafone Turkey Foundation will offer its current projects such as 'Coding Tomorrow', 'Connected Women' and 'Red Light' at these centers. During the first year of the project, our goal is to reach 4,500 children and parents along with 2,500 young women. As Vodafone Turkey Foundation, we are planning to support these centers for the next 2 years. Our belief is that with this project, we will fulfill an important social need in the region. We will remain here as long as container cities are in the region. We will keep doing our utmost by all means possible."

Senem Başyurt, AÇEV General Manager, stated:

"Drawing on our 30 years of experience, our focus is on building enduring structures and services to meet the needs of those affected by the earthquake, especially children, and support their long-term well-being. As part of this effort, in coordination and cooperation with the Ministry of Family and Social Services and with the valuable support of Vodafone Turkey Foundation, we are delighted and proud to launch the first of our child, parent and women friendly centers in Adıyaman. It is our hope that our center will be a safe, nurturing and unifying space for those living in the region. Children, especially in the preschool age group, called the golden years of life, when brain development is at its fastest, are vulnerable to the negative consequences of disasters. As AÇEV, with our expertise, experience and competence in the development of early childhood, our priority in our centers is the children in this age group and their families. We will continue to assist children, families and women in earthquake-affected regions with an effective, long-term and scientific approach."

It will consist of different areas

The Child and Family Centers, which will be opened in cooperation with Vodafone Turkey Foundation and AÇEV, will have areas such as four children's playrooms, toy and book libraries, as well as adult and technology classes. Various activities such as arts, drama, blocks and books will be organized in the children's playroom to support children's learning capacities. Moreover, the centers will have a separate library with toys and books for all children in container cities. Children here will be able to spend free time under an adult's supervision and benefit from a book area suitable for their age. The centers will also have a technology class where Vodafone Turkey Foundation's "Coding Tomorrow" trainings will be given. Other projects of the Foundation, such as "Connected Women" and "Red Light", will also be part of the projects to be carried out at the centers.

Scientific-based programs will be offered

In the Child and Family Centers, scientific-based programs designed in line with the needs of those affected by the earthquake will be implemented with the support of expert teams. The programs seek to offset children's learning loss, equip parents with the skills to support their children, and empower young women.

A library of toys and books will be established in the centers to cover all age groups of children living in container cities. When older age groups will be in school, semi-structured daily schedules will be designed for 3-4 and 5-6 year olds, with a focus on play and art-oriented activities. Children will be able to access the center for 5 days in two groups as morning and afternoon students.

A well-structured program will be provided in which parents will collaborate with an adult educator to support their well-being and enable them to have conversations about topics that will guide their communication with their children. There will also be sessions to support women's well-being and help them shape the next chapter of their lives.

Children between the ages of 7-14 will receive coding training with the support of volunteer trainers in the technology classes in the centers. In the trainings, children will have the opportunity to have an idea about programming, do activities that can uncover their creativity, create their own dream world, and produce their own games.