Having worked in restaurants before the earthquake, Öcal had faced unemployment following the great destruction that took place due to the earthquake. Getting to know about the WFP Early Recovery by SES Project after a call she received and gladly accepting the job offer that was made to her, Öcal conveys, “I was having a difficult time. They were there in my most difficult moment. I was so delighted that I couldn’t believe it was true!” Öcal believes that being able to work in a job after the major earthquake that occurred is something very precious.

“My children are my priority…”

Pointing out that they cook for almost 300 persons in Samandağ who have experienced devastation, Öcal is grateful for being able to provide hot meals for the earthquake survivors faced with deprivation. She conveys how more powerful she feels when she sees the joy on the faces of the earthquake survivors coming in for a meal, especially child survivors of the earthquake, and goes on to say, “We women are strong, we are able to stand on our own two feet once again”.

Pointing out that they cook for almost 300 persons in Samandağ who have experienced devastation, Öcal is grateful for being able to provide hot meals for the earthquake survivors faced with deprivation. She conveys how more powerful she feels when she sees the joy on the faces of the earthquake survivors coming in for a meal, especially child survivors of the earthquake, and goes on to say, “We women are strong, we are able to stand on our own two feet once again”.

“We do our best to provide enough food so that everyone can have their share”

Öcal is enhancing the solidarity with her coworkers employed at Samandağ Soup Kitchen, who are survivors of the earthquake just like her. She describes her excitement, stating, “Sometimes the ingredients we have are not enough to meet the needs here. That’s when I say, ‘Come on, we’re going over to my garden’. We collect rocket, parsley, mint leaves and all the vegetables available. We do our best to provide enough food so that everyone can have their share”.

Having sadly witnessed the destruction of the place where she was born and raised, Öcal is not only empowered through the WFP Early Recovery by SES Project, but she also facilitates the lives of the earthquake survivors in Samandağ.