The Early Days of a New Life
Meryem’s journey began years ago in Syria. A husband trying to support his family with an outdated delivery truck inherited from his father, and two children born into that life… However, when they were faced with uncertainties, the family found themselves on the brink of a tough decision. First, her husband came to Türkiye and found a job. Two years later, Meryem took her children and set off for Hatay.
“We’ve been trying to build a new life since the day we arrived here from Syria”, says Meryem.
While starting a life filled with uncertainties in a new country, they came across someone who would change the course of their lives: their landlady, Deniz* Hanım.
“Deniz Hanım was our greatest luck”, says Meryem.
Deniz Hanım not only gave them the keys to a house, but also opened up her heart to them. For her, rent was not an issue, nor were delays in payment. But most importantly, she treated Meryem’s children no differently than her own.
“Whatever she bought for her children from the market, she would buy the same for my children. She never treated them differently”.
This bond turned into something much deeper than just sharing a home. As they strove to hold on to life in Türkiye, their daughter was born in 2020, whom they named Deniz as a tribute to this profound gratitude.
Support to Changing Lives
Like many people affected by the earthquake, Meryem’s life also took a completely different turn after February 6. Their home was destroyed in the earthquake, leaving behind many memories. Despite everything, a new and hopeful struggle for life began for the family in the container city. Meryem was pregnant with her youngest child back then, during which she came across the Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization (ASAM). She received support during her pregnancy, while her children spent time safely in child-friendly spaces and remembered how to smile again.
The Excitement of 23 April Children’s Festival
Moving from the container city to a permanent home was one of the most difficult times for Meryem due to harsh weather conditions and financial hardships. Having to reorganize their life required immense efforts. Right at that moment, Deniz Hanım stood by them once again; she went from neighborhood to neighborhood to find the rental house where they now live. Finally, after a difficult period, the family started rebuilding their lives. Today, Meryem has six children. With the nearing by of April 23, the holiday the children look forward to every year with pounding hearts, the family became excited yet thoughtful when they learned that each of the children would need special outfits for the performances to take place at school. As a mother, she wanted all of them to shine on the stage with the same joy as their friends. The most important thing for Meryem was for her children not to feel left out that day. During that hectic period, the project implemented by Save the Children Türkiye and ASAM came to the family’s support, providing the necessary outfits for all six children. Meryem describes that moment when the burden on her shoulders gave way to comfort as follows:
“That day, I only wanted my children to think about the holiday. Seeing all my six children smile at the same time was the greatest joy for me. As a mother, I was as happy as they were. I would have been deeply upset if my children felt unhappy on a holiday that has been dedicated to them. My daughter Deniz wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up. Perhaps she wants to give back to others the kindness shown to us today”.
Deniz and her siblings, who are growing up in Hatay surrounded by solidarity, are aware that they are not alone. Because they now know that big miracles are not what changes a life, but sometimes is a hand that has reached out just in time.
And that hand turns into a smile on a child’s face that can be seen on a festive morning, because nothing suits a child better than a smile on their very own holiday.