This article was originally published by TurkNetwork on 1 March 2025.
When disaster strikes, children are often the most overlooked in its aftermath. Relief efforts prioritize immediate survival—food, shelter, medical aid—but long-term recovery, particularly for young survivors, often fades from public consciousness. The February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Türkiye were no different. Amidst the devastation, thousands of children and youth faced not only the loss of family and home but also the challenge of rebuilding their futures.
For two teenage girls, Aliye Dinç and Yaren Çiftçi, the disaster altered the course of their lives. After experiencing limb loss, they faced immense challenges, but their determination to move forward remained unshaken. They found strength in each other and in the solidarity of those who supported their journey toward healing.
Their journey has inspired Just Like Before, a documentary by Istanbul-based filmmaker Sibel Karakurt. Through their intertwined narratives, the film offers an intimate portrayal of loss, restored hope, and the profound impact of community support. It is a story of healing—not just for Aliye and Yaren, but for an entire community still reeling from one of its worst natural disasters.
Aliye and Yaren’s stories began in different cities—Hatay and Adıyaman—two of the hardest-hit regions. Both girls were trapped under the debris of collapsed buildings for hours. Aliye, buried for nearly 60 hours, was rescued by volunteers who happened to be at a nearby construction site. Yaren’s escape was just as harrowing. But survival was only the first battle.
Their paths converged at Çukurova University in Adana, where the Child Wellness Center had been established as a holistic care facility for young amputee survivors. The center, made possible by the efforts of Turkish-American doctors and organizations—including Bridge to Türkiye Fund, Turkish Philanthropy Funds, Hüsnü Özyeğin Foundation, Assembly of Turkish American Associations, and many others—became more than a rehabilitation site. It became a home, a space where children like Aliye and Yaren could begin to dream again.
For the two girls, what began as a shared struggle evolved into a deep friendship. “Meeting Yaren was the best thing that happened,” Aliye reflected after the film’s premiere at Istanbul’s iconic Beyoğlu Cinema. “We went through it together, and that made everything easier.” Their bond became a source of strength, transforming personal hardship into a collective journey of hope.
The Power of Solidarity
Director Sibel Karakurt, was drawn to their story because of its message of resilience. “I wanted to show how healing is not just personal—it’s collective,” she explained. “In times of great tragedy, solidarity is what brings people back to life.”
The documentary goes beyond recounting the girls’ physical recovery – it also illustrates the crucial role of civil initiatives in driving meaningful change in disaster response. BTF’s Child Amputees of Türkiye Earthquakes (CATE) project, for instance, mobilized the Turkish diaspora in the U.S., raising over $1 million through more than 250 local fundraising events. These funds continue to provide prosthetic limbs and scholarships for 117 amputee children at the Child Wellness Center, ensuring they receive care and opportunities into adulthood.
Lives Transformed
One of the most poignant moments in Just Like Before comes when the girls return to Hatay, revisiting the place Aliye once called home. The ruins stand alongside newly constructed buildings, a haunting reminder of all that was lost. Yet, within this devastation, signs of renewal emerge. The film captures the transformation of grief into strength and the way these young survivors have reclaimed their narratives.
Their personal dreams remain intact—Aliye aspires to be an architect, Yaren an engineer. Their ambitions, once derailed by tragedy, now feel more compelling than ever.
A Call to Mobilize Your Community
As Just Like Before reaches audiences around the world, it does more than tell the story of two extraordinary young individuals—it delivers a powerful message about resilience, hope, and the urgent need for long-term support in disaster recovery. As Karakurt reminds us, children and youth are often the first to be forgotten when the world moves on. Long after the headlines fade and attention shifts elsewhere, their struggles remain.
For friends of Türkiye in the U.S. and beyond, the film is both a wake-up call and a testament to the power of global solidarity. It proves that grassroots generosity can transcend borders and that even in the face of unimaginable loss, community-driven action can help rebuild lives.
Now on a U.S. tour, Just Like Before is raising funds for BTF’s initiatives supporting disadvantaged children in Türkiye. If you would like to bring this inspiring film to your community, reach out to events@bridgetoturkiye.org. Hosting a screening will be an opportunity to bring your community together for a meaningful cause, spark change, and help rebuild the futures of many young people like Aliye and Yaren.
About the director
Sibel Karakurt, a graduate of Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Science, has produced numerous projects focusing on social issues and human stories as a film director, producer, and screenwriter. Her documentary “Ceska Cinayetleri” drew international attention and was broadcast on Al Jazeera International. She began her professional career in 2004 on the TV program “32. Gün.” Among her recent works are the documentaries Istanbul Lezzetleri, Istanbul’un Renkleri, and Doğunun ve Batının Ötesinde: Fatih Sultan Mehmet.
