Every year on April 23, Türkiye celebrates National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı). It is a holiday that honors both the foundation of the nation and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
At Bridge to Türkiye Fund, that belief guides everything we do.
Through partnerships across Türkiye, we support education, disaster relief, and community development, helping thousands of children access the resources they need to succeed.
This Children’s Day, we are continuing that support by uplifting classrooms in need of resources and expanded opportunities. You can read more about each school in our Catalogue.
We invited students and teachers who have previously received support from BTF to share how it has shaped their educational experience. Their responses were powerful. They show that the impact we create together is real and lasting, and anyone can be part of it.
Support a child’s future this Children’s Day, and read on to learn more.
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When Opportunity Changes Everything
In many classrooms, learning was once limited to theory. But through support from Bridge to Türkiye Fund and its local partners, students now have access to laboratories and hands-on materials that bring lessons to life.
Students are more engaged, more curious, and more involved in their learning. And this impact extends beyond excitement. As they are given the tools to explore new ways of learning, they also begin to believe in their own capabilities and discover a newfound confidence.
“Öğrenciler daha çok soru soruyor, deney yapmaya istekli oluyor ve derse aktif katılım sağlıyorlar…Ben yapabiliyorum’” duygusu oluşuyor.”
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They ask more questions, are more eager to do experiments, and actively participate in the lesson…They start to feel like, ‘I can do this.’”
— Teacher
Educators see the effect of this change firsthand. One middle school teacher who received support from BTF shared the story of a 6th grade student who had been struggling academically. When the class was taken to their new lab and asked to build an electrical circuit to light a bulb, that same student was the first to complete it. Another student then turned to them for help, and they proudly explained how it worked.
“Küçük bir fırsatın bir çocuğu nasıl değiştirebildiğini gördüm…Öğrencilerimde aslında görülen ilk değişiklik kendilerini değerli hissetmeleri.”
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“I’ve seen how even a small opportunity can change a child’s life…The first change I notice in my students is that they start to feel valued.”
— Middle School Teacher
Moments like these show what happens when learning becomes tangible and accessible, not just something they hear or read about. For children who have never had access to these resources before, that feeling is new. And it changes everything.
The students described that change simply:
“Artık deney yapabildiğimiz için kendimi daha şanslı hissediyorum.” / “Now that we can do experiments, I feel more fortunate.”
“Çünkü hem eğleniyoruz hem de yeni şeyler öğreniyoruz.” / “Because we’re having fun and learning new things at the same time.”
“Sizin sayenizde daha mutlu ve daha başarılıyız.” / “Thanks to you, we feel happier and more confident.”
School becomes something they look forward to. This is the foundation for lifelong learning and future opportunities.
Looking Ahead
And perhaps most powerful of all is that these students are already thinking about how to give back.
“İlerde bizde sizin gibi tanımadığımız insanlara hediyeler göndereceğiz.”
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“In the future, we will also send gifts to people we don’t know, just like you.”
— Student
This thoughtfulness shows how support creates a cycle of generosity that continues far beyond the classroom.
Every initiative we support at Bridge to Türkiye Fund is rooted in the same goal: creating a stronger, more equitable future for the next generation.
This National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, your support is:
- Building confidence
- Creating opportunity
- Opening doors to the future
Every classroom supported.
Every student reached.
It all starts with you. Learn more about our campaign and gift a brighter future today.