In issue 3/2023, „Humanität“ reported on the assistance provided by the Berlin-Brandenburg district for children affected by the severe earthquake earlier this year in Turkey and Syria.
In mid-October, District Master Br. Celil Şenman traveled to the disaster area. There, he met the supported children, some of their parents, teachers, and the operators of an educational institution, and engaged in numerous conversations with them. Despite all the suffering these people have endured, it was very moving and encouraging, according to Br. Celil Şenman, that they have not lost hope for a better future. He saw faith and the will to live reflected in the eyes of the children.
The donations raised during a charity concert organized by the district in April 2023 were intended to help as many groups of people as possible. Thus, the educational institution Meta in Antakya (Hatay Province), which offers preparatory courses and tutoring for entrance exams to high schools and universities, was chosen. The previous institution was completely destroyed in the earthquake, and reconstruction began at a new location in August of this year. The Berlin-Brandenburg district covered the costs for an entire year for eight children.
This support is now having a diverse impact: materially, morally, and psychologically, help is being provided not only directly to the children but also to their families, as well as to the teachers and operators. True to the image of a stone thrown into water that creates ever-widening ripples, said Br. Celil Şenman.
There are still many children in need of help. The Berlin-Brandenburg district is grateful for any additional support and welcomes contact at the email address dm.be-bb@afuamvd.de.