by Zeynep Memecan
“Do you know how far away America is from here?” I asked a classroom full of bright-eyed first graders. A hand shot up. Too eager to wait to be called on, a boy blurted out: “One thousand meters!”
We were farther than that—out in Esenyurt, Istanbul, one of the city’s most populous and impoverished neighborhoods. I was visiting from Los Angeles to volunteer at Sebahattin Zaim Elementary School, delivering a carefully curated box of musical supplies—electric pianos, ukuleles, maracas, and more—that Bridge to Turkiye (BTF) had put together with donations from supporters in New York and New Jersey.
Working with BTF, she helped provide warm winter jackets and shoes to more than 50 students in need this year.
I was in awe of Özge Hanım and the other teachers I met that day. As a former teacher myself, I know what it takes to show up every morning with unwavering dedication—to make sure your students feel valued, to lift them up, to show them what’s possible.
The day I was there, students crowded around the box of musical supplies, bouncing in anticipation. Özge Hanım and her colleagues will no doubt turn those instruments into lessons, laughter, and lasting inspiration.
You can help BTF support more teachers like Özge Hanım.
Donate today!
Zeynep Memecan is an Istanbul native who grew up in New York before relocating to Los Angeles in 2023. She earned a double major in Psychology and Political Science from Barnard College, then went on to complete a Master’s degree in Special Education at Hunter College. Zeynep spent three years teaching elementary students with learning disabilities through Teach For America, and later joined Scholastic as a writer and editor on children’s magazines. She’s the author of several children’s books—including a recent graphic novel about Göbekli Tepe—and for the past eight years has been with SiriusXM, currently as Senior Product Manager for podcasts. Outside of work, she’s passionate about plant-based cooking and hiking.
