Young volunteers from all over the world who have come to Gaziantep as part of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) are contributing to the city through their work under the BEKAM umbrella while also gaining a close-up experience of Turkish culture.
Over the past month, Gaziantep has become a hub for solidarity and cultural exchange for young volunteers from diverse regions. Volunteers participating in BEKAM’s projects through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) are making a tangible impact on the local community through their on-the-ground activities while also exploring the depths of Turkish culture. While generating social impact, they are simultaneously adding new dimensions to their personal development journeys. This diverse group of volunteers, spanning from Ukraine to France, the Netherlands to Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina, describes their experience as an educational and inspiring journey.
A HIGHLY ENRICHING EXPERIENCE
The volunteer team does not limit their work in the city to theoretical training but actively engages with real-life situations. Visits to earthquake-affected regions and social responsibility programs leave a deep impression on the young volunteers. Azerbaijani volunteer Ali Ghuliyev emphasizes that the visits to earthquake-affected areas and the connections formed with local residents in conversation clubs have left a very positive impression on him. French volunteer Sheyma Achir, meanwhile, describes this process as a highly enriching experience filled with concrete steps taken on the ground regarding humanitarian aid efforts.
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY
The multinational structure formed under the Bülbülzade Foundation and BEKAM has also become a learning environment for volunteers. While Ukrainian Viktoria Kotelevets enjoys the warm atmosphere offered by BEKAM and the pleasure of being among people from different nations, Dutch volunteer Elisa Dijkhuis views the past few weeks as an extremely educational and inspiring period for herself. Dijkhuis, who expresses her gratitude for every moment spent in Gaziantep, is joined by Emir Fojnica from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fojnica notes that experiencing Turkish hospitality firsthand and being part of these events presents a significant opportunity to develop his personal skills.
BUILDING BRIDGES OF THE HEART THAT REACH INTO THE FUTURE
This international mobility project, led by the Bülbülzade Foundation and BEKAM, not only enhances young people’s professional competencies but also builds lasting bridges of friendship across different regions. Young people who learn about Turkish culture firsthand and play an active role in concrete aid activities are carrying messages of solidarity and brotherhood from Gaziantep to the world. This platform continues to blend local development with a global sense of volunteerism.
