What if missing school wasn’t a choice, but a part of your family’s survival?
In Şanlıurfa, many children of seasonal agricultural workers spend months away from their classrooms every year, starting late and leaving early as their families travel for work. This means lost lessons, growing learning gaps, and dreams put on hold.
Our grantee partner, the Local Development Association (Yerelden Kalkınma Derneği – YERKAD), is determined to change that. Based in Şanlıurfa, they work to improve quality of life and build a more inclusive future by tackling local and regional challenges. Their approach is holistic—supporting economic, social, cultural, and environmental sustainability—with a special focus on children who face the greatest barriers to education.
Our Support
With grant support, YERKAD launched a 6-month accelerated education programme, giving children the opportunity to catch up on missed schooling and prepare for high school entrance exams. They provided free exam preparation sets, trained teachers in inclusive education, and organised social activities to keep students motivated. YERKAD has:
- Helped 60 children from seasonal agricultural worker families improve their academic performance.
- Distributed over 1,000 exam preparation sets.
- Trained 40 teachers in inclusive teaching methods.
- Engaged 65 students in social activities to boost motivation.
This model not only helps children reclaim their education—it strengthens efforts towards equal access to schooling for all.
Tangible Results, Lasting Change
One of those students was Defne, a determined 16-year-old who had already spent three years as a seasonal agricultural labourer. After the 2023 earthquakes, her father lost his job, and even basic school materials felt out of reach. Through YERKAD’s programme, Defne received books, mentoring, and—most importantly—the confidence to believe she could succeed.
Defne’s hard work paid off: she earned a place at a science high school, alongside two classmates from the same programme:
“I feel proud, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped me get here. Now I’m dreaming of becoming a genetic engineer.”
Thank You for Making It Possible
YERKAD’s work shows the power of local action in breaking cycles of disadvantage. With your help, more children can return to school, keep learning, and move closer to the future they deserve.
Watch our video interview with YERKAD to see how your support changes lives.
