Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

Calis Beach Forum => Calis Local Charity Announcements => Topic started by: Pi55y on February 09, 2014, 16:38:48 PM

Title: From little acorns...........
Post by: Pi55y on February 09, 2014, 16:38:48 PM
(http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq221/chrissieinturkey/front2resized_zps868fd43e.jpg)

Just before Christmas Oznur (Angel) at the Nil Bar introduced Pete and myself to a retired Turkish gentleman Yaşar Erkimen and his lovely wife Arzui who had recently moved to Calis from Istanbul. Yaşar  told us about his dream to start a small English learning Centre to give free extra tuition to the poorer youngsters in the Gunlukbasi/Catalarik area to help them improve  both their English reading and speaking skills in order for them to find work more easily, particularly in the local tourism industry,  and to have a better start in life. These children, some of whom are bright but whose parents are unable to afford to pay for extra tuition for them, would be able to attend the learning centre outside of their normal school hours. They hoped to begin by helping 10 children but eventually they hope that this will increase to 40 or 50 children.

The kind-hearted couple who had moved into an apartment near to the “old men’s corner” close to the wedding circle in the Gunlukbasi area of Calis, had already taken the first step to fulfilling Yaşar’s dream by renting the empty shop and apartment on the ground floor of their building which they saw as an ideal location for the learning centre and which they were funding from their own pocket
The premises needed a lot of work and redecoration to make it suitable for the purpose but Yaşar was willing to do all of the work himself but he did need help with equipping it with furniture and books. Oznur suggested he ask the 3C’s if they were able to help in any way.

The 3C’s committee felt that this was a very worthwhile project which could really benefit the local youngsters and agreed to help if they could, but first the centre  needed the approval  of the Director of Education and Governor of Fethiye.   After meetings between FETAV, the Milliegitim (Director of Education) Yaşar and the charity, the project was finally approved and the 3Cs agreed to purchase new desks, chairs and whiteboards for the centre as well as committing to pay the rent on the premises for the first year, whilst it became established. 

Yaşar got busy cleaning and painting and last week the new desks and chairs and coat stands were delivered for the two finished classrooms and the whiteboards are arriving this week.  A second-hand television was kindly donated to the centre by a 3C’s supporter and the 3C’s have provided a donated DVD player. English language DVDs and some English reading books which had been dropped off at the 3C’s charity shop have also been passed on to the centre and have become the start of a small reading library. We are now looking for some colourful pictures to brighten up the walls

(http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq221/chrissieinturkey/classroom2resized_zps3202cc52.jpg)
Yaşar and Arzui with some of the 3C's committee in one of the new classrooms

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The new desks in the main classroom (Kevin of the 3C's)

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The centre is slowly taking shape and will soon be ready to open.  As well as the two completed classrooms, there is a small kitchen, bathroom  and a  further room at the rear of the premises which when decorated, will eventually become a third classroom/ reading room. Yaşar eventually sees the centre, not only as a place of learning, but as “drop in” centre where the youngsters can drop in for a drink and a chat as well as borrow a book from the library.

(http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq221/chrissieinturkey/kitchenresized_zpsa8364868.jpg)
Kitchen

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rear of building still to be got ready

(http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq221/chrissieinturkey/potenialthirdclassroom2resized_zpsd7fa1a1e.jpg)
Still to be done - potential third classroom or reading/relaxation room

A Turkish teacher of English will be helping Yaşar and his wife out at the centre in her spare time, but Yaşar would dearly love for some of the local English community to get involved and help by sitting and talking to the children for an hour or two a week so that they get a chance to practice their English.

If you are interested in helping, please can you PM me and I will pass on your contact details to Yaşar for when the centre is operational. Also, as many of  you are aware,  we are appealing  for English story books for the centre, suitable for age 6 years and upwards,  so if anyone is able to bring a couple out in their suitcase when they come out on holiday, that would be great.  They do not have to be new so long as they are in good condition and they will certainly help to build up the library.

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The beginnings of the library

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Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on February 09, 2014, 18:23:19 PM
Will bring some books out in May when we come over.
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: Partygirl on February 09, 2014, 18:29:17 PM
Yes, me too! What a lovely project  :)
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: mercury on February 09, 2014, 18:47:24 PM
Another example of what kind caring people the members of The 3 C's are... Well done all those involved...
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: Anne on February 09, 2014, 19:10:44 PM
It's wonderful that the 3 C's  have helped such a worthwhile project.  Yaşar Erkimen must be over the moon to see his idea finally coming together.
I'll also bring a few books with me in June
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: puma on February 09, 2014, 23:14:12 PM
i will ask at my grandkids school what they do with their old books
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: Hotmama on February 10, 2014, 08:20:16 AM
I walked passed and wondered what it was a few weeks ago. What an excellent idea. I am sure it will be very popular & of huge benefit to the locals here.

I think it'll be something I & my children can help out with further down the line.

Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: echogirl1 on February 10, 2014, 09:56:56 AM
Collecting lightweight books to bring over end of May, may have to leave a pair or two of shoes behind, but cannot leave the kitchen sink behind.  Only have 23kgs of luggage allowance!!
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: swindsor on February 10, 2014, 19:34:55 PM
We will be bringing books (not until July though) - what a lovely project.
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: Pi55y on February 12, 2014, 19:22:19 PM
Firstly thanks to all those who are intending to bring books out for the centre and also the few  who have emailed me saying that they would like to help.

We met with Yaser and his wife today and they are aiming to quietly open the centre on Saturday afternoon with just a few children to start off with. Oznur
(Angel) from Nil Bar has kindly agreed to help out at this first session. Good luck to Yaser and his wife, on a great project.
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: sunlover on February 12, 2014, 21:15:41 PM
I am sure we can leave some clothes at home and put some books in our suitcase in May , a great cause, would love to help out when we retire and come over for longer.
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: Menthol on February 12, 2014, 23:11:24 PM
Excellent project.

I will ensure that we bring over books in March.
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: Pi55y on February 16, 2014, 19:13:29 PM
We understand that 13 children turned up for the first session at the centre yesterday so it is off to a great start   :)
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: Menthol on February 16, 2014, 21:13:45 PM
So good to hear.
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: Pi55y on February 25, 2014, 16:42:18 PM
Popped into the English Learning Centre this afternoon to see how Yasar is getting on. The centre is really popular and he already has 40 children aged from 8 to 14 registered and is running sessions most afternoons and two sessions on Saturday. If anyone can spare a couple of hours a week and is  interested in attending a session and chatting with the children so they can practice their English please can you pm me so that I can pass on  your details to Yasar. Thanks.



Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: sunlover on February 26, 2014, 17:04:37 PM
Great news Chrissie, 40 children already
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: Pi55y on March 11, 2014, 10:43:37 AM
Pete and I sat in at one of the lessons at the English Learning House last week and it was a really uplifting experience. The children are so enthusiastic and Pete as an ex-teacher was delighted to see how they are enjoying and having fun in their lessons.  We even ended up joining in with them in the actions to the the "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" song that the children managed to learn in a matter of minutes from teacher Kate.

Just wanted to share a few pictures with you all.

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(http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq221/chrissieinturkey/kids4resized_zps05b91155.jpg)

(http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq221/chrissieinturkey/class2resized_zps6a8f3492.jpg)

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(http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq221/chrissieinturkey/class1resized_zps236c9c5c.jpg)

(http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq221/chrissieinturkey/kids1resized_zps4781ef09.jpg)
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: kevin3 on March 11, 2014, 11:17:53 AM
A fantastic project Chrissie and thanks for the update.
Title: Re: From little acorns...........
Post by: BernieTeyze on March 11, 2014, 16:56:19 PM
Well done,I,'ll steal my daughter's resources so they can be photocopied too!  : :) she has just gone on maternity leave,so I'm sure there will be stuff at home she would like to donate x