President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife, First Lady Emine Erdoğan wished Allah's mercy upon those who lost their lives in the earthquake and shared get well soon wished for Türkiye, especially for the earthquake victims. First Lady Erdoğan said that she is experiencing the bittersweet happiness of meeting with brothers and sisters, who are the epitome of the great heart of the benevolent nation.

 

Stating that their hearts beat for Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman, Hatay, Gaziantep, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Adana, Osmaniye, Elazığ and Malatya for weeks, the First Lady Erdoğan said that they were tested by consecutive earthquakes of a rare magnitude spanning across an area larger than many countries' territory, as well as by floods. The First Lady said that the state, however, made its presence felt with all of its institutions since day one.

 

Stating that food, clothing, electronic equipment, tents, container shipments and search and rescue efforts started immediately from the first hours of that morning, First Lady Erdoğan noted that  Ministries and all institutions mobilized with all resources and dispatched construction equipment, ships, trucks, helicopters, planes and unmanned aerial vehicles to the area.

Emphasizing that Türkiye, which has been growing all over the world for years and has a great experience in healing the wounds of disasters, took action on its own soil in solidarity with the people, First Lady Erdoğan noted that volunteers rushed to the aid of citizens in the quake zone, either via NGOs or on their own account.

 

Pointing out that the disaster of the century turned into a solidarity movement of the century, First Lady Erdoğan said that it has become the manifestation of Türkiye's deep-rooted tradition of philanthropy, which has almost become the character of the nation. The First Lady stated that millions of philanthropists united themselves so that the temples of the heart would not be destroyed while cities were falling into ruins.

 

Stating that those who are unable to work in the field also find a place in their hearts with their humanitarian aid, love and prayers, First Lady Erdoğan expressed that there is no doubt that doing good without expecting anything in return, is only for great souls.

 

Noting that it has been witnessed many times that hearts that never speak of their kindness to others maintain their softness, First Lady Erdoğan said that she believes that a person can reach the highest point in his/her own adventure in the world only by healing the wounds of humanity.

 

Pointing out that both the state and NGOs are still active on the ground to support citizens in the quake zone, First Lady Erdoğan added that all the institutions will continue to work until every quake victim gets reunited with their houses, workplaces and schools.

 

Stating that the cities, the meeting point of civilizations, which have resisted disasters and wars for thousands of years and always reborn from their ashes, will have been revived once again, the First Lady expressed that she believes that as long as they are united, the Turkish state can overcome all problems.  

 

Continuing her speech by addressing philanthropists, First Lady Erdoğan said that compassion is the intelligence of the heart and philanthropy is being able to welcome others. The First Lady said that being able to worry about the problems of people you do not know is one of the most meaningful relationships that can be established between people.

 

Emphasizing that the role of charity works in keeping hearts alive should not be overlooked, First Lady Erdoğan said that from this point of view, providing aid is more beneficial to the doer than the recipient.

 

Emphasizing that no nation in the world can compete with Türkiye in embracing those who need support by sharing what it has, First Lady Erdoğan noted that Türkiye and the Turkish people are referred to as the "conscience of the world".

 

Pointing out that foundations have undertaken the task of guiding captains in this regard, First Lady Emine Erdoğan thanked all non-governmental organizations on the occasion of the opening ceremony of Charity Market of the Şule Yüksel Şenler Foundation.

 

Stating that the volunteers are stand by the state and the nation with all their experience and work hard to meet daily needs from hot food distribution to tent cities, First Lady Erdoğan said that every need is considered such as hygiene kits prepared especially for women and children to the "Great Jobs Bag" and kindergartens.

 

Stating that in times of disaster, it is necessary to provide continuity as well as to come to the rescue and take responsibility, First Lady Erdoğan said that the most beneficial humanitarian aid includes rebuilding, developing and giving shoulders until life returns to normal.

 

Expressing that she attaches great importance to the vocational and skill development courses provided by the public education centers and advanced technical schools, First Lady Erdoğan stated that new income opportunities are opened especially for women in these courses where talented people are socialized while producing here.

 

Reminding that the Charity market includes products produced in the design and sewing workshops of the Şule Yüksel Şenler Foundation, as well as the centers operating in the region, First Lady Erdoğan noted that handicrafts and gastronomic riches of 11 provinces are also exhibited in the market.

 

Stating that those who visit the charity market, which was created with the support of the Ministries and local administrations, can present the product to earthquake victims back, First Lady Erdoğan said that this way, a multi-faceted support will be provided and the income obtained from the products will be distributed to the cities where the products are manufactured.

 

Stating that she has witnessed the selfless efforts of people who can dress someone else's wounds while their own wounds are bleeding, First Lady Erdoğan said that these people instill hope in the world with their every action. On this occasion, she thanked all non-governmental organizations and the teams and master trainers of the Şule Yüksel Şenler Foundation for continuing their activities with enthusiasm.

 

Speaking at the program, Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin expressed his happiness to be a stakeholder in such a beautiful event. Wishing Allah's mercy upon those who lost their lives in the earthquake disaster, Minister Tekin said, wished to never experience such a disaster once again.

 

Pointing out that the education and training process of the Ministry of National Education is not just about schools within four walls, Minister Tekin underlined that the matter of education concerns the whole society young and old alike and social problems. Stating that they have to declare a mobilization on social education as a whole society and take responsibility, Minister Tekin stated that today's event is actually based on this mission of the Ministry of National Education.

 

Stating that as the Ministry, they see education as an area that can reach the capillaries of the society and intervene in the most difficult problems to be solved, Minister Tekin said that they act with this sense of responsibility. Announcing that similar events will continue, Tekin said that their door is open for these collaborations.

 

Stating that the Directorate General of Lifelong Learning, which appeals to individuals outside the age of formal education within the Ministry of National Education, and the advanced technical schools, especially the public education centers and other vocational education units within its body, constantly contribute to the process, Minister Tekin said that a total of fifty thousand courses have been opened in eleven cities where the products will be exhibited in the charity market. Expressing that more than six hundred and fifty thousand trainees received certificates from these courses, Tekin said that they will see the products of the trainees in the charity market today.

 

Underlining that the process is very comprehensive, Minister Tekin called for social support for the national education process. Expressing that he is happy to organize such an event with the public, Minister Tekin thanked everyone who contributed to the process, especially the First Lady Emine Erdoğan.

 

After the speeches, First Lady Erdoğan received information from the officials of the Ministry of National Education about the products produced by the earthquake victims. First Lady Erdoğan donated the products she bought in the exhibition opened on behalf of 11 provinces, which includes vases, handcrafted sewing and embroidery products, antiques, oil paintings, textile products and souvenirs, to AFAD for the benefit of the earthquake victims.

 

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, Governor of Istanbul Davut Gül, Minister Yusuf Tekin's wife Ayşe Tekin and Şule Yüksel Şenler Foundation Chairman of the Board of Trustees Leyla Şahin Usta and many guests attended the program.

 

Within the scope of the "Heart to Heart Brotherhood Bridge Charity Market" program to be held between July 22 and July 25, products produced in 11 cities affected by the earthquake will be sold. The products purchased by philanthropists for the benefit of earthquake victims can be donated to AFAD in the exhibition, which was realized with the idea of "buy and donate".