Building a giant library filled with a hundred books and DVDs in all languages: this is the goal of the Human Resource Development Foundation. It wants to create it for the many unaccompanied child refugees that it hosts upon their arrival in Turkey.
Thanks to Humanium, this library will not simply be a mirage, but will hold a place of pride in the Turkish organisation in Kadiköy, Istanbul.
Many children come to Turkey alone each year. They have fled their country, left their family, overcome countless obstacles, including several borders, and arrived at the doors to this country, straddling the East and the West, full of promises.
For the last several years, our partner in the field has committed itself to hosting unaccompanied child refugees. They are between 12 and 17 years old, and the association provides them with psychological support and help with their day-to-day lives, particularly with looking for somewhere to stay and accessing information.
Access to books and DVDs in their native language prevents young refugees from losing all links with the culture they have so suddenly left behind.
Reading also provides an unparalleled means of escape and dreaming, as well as discovery and learning. Whether about dreams or science, books sow a seed in us which will flower under any circumstances…no matter if our roots are near or far.
Fact: In 2013, Turkey played host to half a million Syrian refugees, 60% of whom were children. Non-Syrian refugees should also be added to these figures. According to UNHCR statistics, at the end of 2013, there were around 1900 children between 0 and 4 years old, and more than 6000 between 5 and 17. Among them were many unaccompanied children.
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