Mavi Kalem comes together with women for various activities on a weekly basis at the Women’s Consultation Centre, on the occasion of group psychosocial meetings, handicrafts, music, sports activities, and information meetings against gender-based violence.
They had the opportunity to conduct short interviews with three women among the beneficiaries who participated in the activities we held at the Women’s Consultation Centre in August. This way, they have learned more about the feelings and thoughts of the women participating in the activities within the scope of the project.
Aynur, one of the beneficiaries interviewed, expressed her thoughts and experiences regarding the activities she attended at the Women’s Consultation Centre as follows: “We learn new things during the activities, especially when we do handicrafts. We all add something new to ourselves. I think this is very valuable. Our skills are improving, we are socializing, we are getting together, the distances are overcome…I can make observations because I participate in the activities. Here, our communication with the women who have attended the Turkish language course for foreigners has grown richer at the activities. I think that language and skill courses and activities feed each other. Learning new things together and being together makes me very happy.”
Melek said that she got acquainted with the Women’s Consultation Centre about a month ago and had the opportunity to follow up and participate in the activities. She expressed the meaning of the centre and the activities she has participated in by saying, “I wish I had known about the centre beforehand; I am very pleased with your presence and what you are doing.” She stated that she applied the exercises she learned in the group psycho-social activity realized under the theme of ‘Coping with Stress’ in her daily life. “I am able to breathe when I come to Women Consultation Centre which is indeed a great opportunity and a breath of fresh air.”
Doğa stated that she participated in an activity which was structured exclusively for women for the first time, that it was very relaxing for her and she had quite a pleasant time. “When I went home after what the psychologist told us at the activity, I once got angry, then I immediately thought of what she said and I calmed down. It was my first time attending in an activity moderated by a psychologist. What I love most about the centre is having someone present who takes care of the children. We come here with peace of mind. Normally, we can’t go anywhere because we need to take care of our children.”
