Esra is a 17-year-old girl with determination and grit to succeed in life. She successfully completed high school and is now a student in the Department of Arabic Language and Literature at Kilis University in Gaziantep province. Esra is an intelligent and hardworking student. She has two sisters, a mother, and a father who is around 50 years old and unable to work due to his condition of gout. Her father previously supported the family by working in construction and farming jobs. However, due to his illness, he could not do heavy labour and had taken up a low-paying job. This situation made it difficult for the family to even pay their rent. Esra’s mother is also unemployed; however, she tries to provide a modest income for the family by doing handicrafts at home.
Despite the economic difficulties the family was going through, Esra’s parents place great importance on their daughter’s education and were making every sacrifice to ensure she finishes her university education. Esra was determined to continue her education under difficult circumstances. However, due to insufficient financial resources, she struggled to cover her university tuition, textbooks, and stationery expenses.
In this difficult situation, Esra applied to International Blue Crescent (IBC)Relief and Development Foundation, and asked for help with scholarship applications. She sincerely explained that their financial situation was inadequate and that she needed support to continue her education. IBC did not remain indifferent to Esra and her family’s situation and made every effort to ensure Esra could continue her education and helped her apply for various scholarship opportunities.
First, cash assistance was provided. The assistance was aimed at supporting student families experiencing financial difficulties. Esra’s family received 25,000 TL (around 485 Euros) in support. This enabled Esra to pay off her first semester tuition, buy necessary stationery, and pay off some debts. This assistance proved a lifeline for the family.
The aid did not stop with that. IBC supported Esra in applying to the European Union and other university scholarships in Turkiye. Six months later, Esra learned that she had been awarded an EU scholarship. This scholarship was to be paid in two installments of 156 Euros each. When Esra received the first installment, she visited the IBC and shared this good news with all the staff.
Psychological counselling helps Esra’s family
IBC did not only provide financial assistance to Esra and her family but also offered psychological support. Esra’s mother received counselling from the IBC psychologist, and this significantly improved her situation. Esra’s younger sibling also received psychological counseling due to problems with friends and teachers at school, and it helped her improve her relationships.
Critical address verification Meanwhile, Esra and her family also regularly attend the information and awareness sessions organised on address verification by IBC. To register in closed neighborhoods, it is necessary to prove with official documents that the address was previously occupied; otherwise, it is mandatory to move to an open neighborhood. Furthermore, a rental contract or electricity, water, or natural gas bills must be presented during address registration, and failure to complete the process on time carries the risk of identity cards being deactivated.
As a matter of fact, Esra and her family were forced to change their address approximately three months ago due to the poor living conditions in their old home and, especially during the winter months, the ingress of rainwater into the house. Throughout this process, they acquired up-to-date and accurate information during the sessions. By learning the requirements , they prevented potential problems. Thus, Esra and her family not only moved to a safer and healthier living environment but also successfully completed the legal address registration procedures, securing their identities and status.
Esra’s story has once again proven the importance of address verification for accessing governmental services and education. Esra, with her determination and hard work, continues on her path as a young woman who looks to the future with hope.
Co-financed by the European Union Humanitarian Aid (DG ECHO) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), ADA Türkiye was established in 2021 to ensure long-term coordination and sustainable cooperation. To date, the initiative has reached over 120,000 people through protection services, provided earthquake-related assistance to approximately 31,000 individuals, and implemented over 3,000 activities to promote social cohesion between communities.
