A Bit About Me
First, I want to share a little about my background. My mother is Turkish, and my father is American. Although I was born and raised in New York City, my connection to Türkiye has always been strong. From the age of 5 to 12, I attended Turkish school every Saturday, where we learned about Turkish culture, history, and traditions. Every summer, my brother and I visit Türkiye to see our grandparents and extended family. Other than that, I’m a pretty typical 17-year-old who loves playing video games, American football, and hanging out with my friends.
Meeting Ahmet
Our journey began in Adana, at the Çukurova University Hospital’s Children’s Wellness Center. This center provides prostheses, rehabilitation, and therapy to the hundreds of children who have lost limbs in the earthquake. There, I met Ahmet, a sweet, happy six year old, who cheerfully greeted everyone as he walked around the hallways. Earlier in the summer, I worked as a camp counselor in a sleepaway camp in New Hampshire. Ahmet looked no different from the six-year-olds there, except that he was missing a leg below the knee and wore a prosthetic. I can’t even imagine what he’s been through. Like the kids in New Hampshire, he probably went to bed one night clutching a favorite toy. But unlike them, he woke up under a collapsed building, scared and hurt. Since then, it’s been months of surgeries, getting used to a prosthetic, and being away from his home. Yet, he was so happy, making everyone around him happy as well. His resilience and positivity despite the hardships he faced were incredible. Every kid deserves to be happy and we must each do what we can to help every kid to have a chance to be happy, especially after they have been through such traumatic experiences like this.
Rebuilding a vocational college
After leaving Adana, we traveled to Hatay. Our first stop was the construction site of a community college that had collapsed during the earthquake. Before the disaster, the school had 3,200 students receiving vocational training as technicians. Two things struck me about this visit. First, as a junior in high school, I had recently toured some of the most beautiful university campuses in the U.S., with vibrant student life and extraordinary offerings, and here I was standing on a bare construction site of a college that had been completely obliterated overnight. The comparison was almost too painful. Second, I was moved by the volunteers rebuilding the school. Engineers, all graduates of Middle East Technical University in Turkey, had raised funds and were personally doing the work. It made me think that this is what I want to do when I go to college and after: find a way to use my skills to help others.
Sports heals
One of our stops was the Hatay Youth Football Academy in Defne where we met the girls’ soccer team. The only field in their town had been destroyed after it was used as a field hospital following the earthquake. They told us that soccer is not just a sport for them; it’s a community where they find their voice and build confidence. That’s exactly how my friends and I feel about sports. When we’re sad, we find happiness; when we feel alone, we find friendship; when we’re nervous, we find strength. Although we live thousands of kilometers apart in very different circumstances, sports are something we all share as young people, whether we’re in New York or Hatay. Sports provide us with a sense of belonging, build confidence, and teach resilience. Iskender Abi Among all the destruction, I was quite surprised by the beauty of a small coastal town called Arsuz. If you can see past some of the collapsed buildings, it reminds you of the beach towns of New England, with cafes right on the water, boats lined up at the docks, and children splashing in the water. In Arsuz I met İskender Abi. The first thing that I noticed about Iskender Abi was his resemblance to my grandfather: an older Turkish gentleman, quiet, reserved, wearing long shorts with a belt, a polo shirt, and a plain baseball hat. But I learned that Iskender Abi is Iskender Sayek, a world-renowned surgeon who had a famed career as a doctor and a medical school professor. Iskender Abi was born in Arsuz, and although he spent almost his entire life away from Arsuz, he never forgot about his heritage. He, along with his daughter, set up an organization to preserve the cultural heritage of Arsuz, and after the earthquake, they built a community center for women and children. I was inspired by him, and many others like him in Hatay, who stayed connected to their heritage and have taken personal responsibility in helping in times of need. It also taught me that we can all make a difference, no matter where we are.
Final Reflections
When my mom first told me about this trip, I must admit I was apprehensive. What teenager wants to hang out with his mom, and a group of adults, in a remote part of the world, in 100+ degree weather with no A/C, where there is nothing but destruction around? But I’m glad I went. I came back with invaluable observations and life lessons. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to witness the resilience and strength of the people in these regions. I’m thankful for the work that nonprofit organizations are doing to help those in need under the extremely hard conditions. I’m inspired by those who chose to stay connected to their heritage and decided to help those in need. For any Turkish Americans or anyone with ties to Türkiye, I highly recommend engaging with initiatives like this. It’s a chance to give back and stay connected to our roots. Even if you’re far from home, there’s always a way to make a difference. Thanks for reading, and I hope my story inspires you to explore your own heritage and find ways to make a positive impact in the world!
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