Halit Alper Tayalı is an assistant professor of business at Istanbul University. He worked with his brother to deliver relief to Hatay.
Following the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, my brother İlker began collecting plush toys for children affected by the disaster. When I learned that my brother was heading to Hatay to deliver the last batch of supplies, and I joined him.
The heavy feeling that had been weighing on me vanished when we loaded the rental car with dozens of plastic balls that a friend had sent. While a part of the donations we delivered went to an association in Iskenderun, we distributed a part of the balls right there for the kids living in tents. Our last delivery point was the Coast Guard Command at Samandağ.
My first formal volunteer work was during middle school at RC. We were at the Kasımpaşa kindergarten with teachers and friends from Robert College. It is difficult to forget those moments. We chased a ball around the facility with the kids for no other reason than to have fun, solely for the sake of playing. It was not so different from what the kids in the earthquake zones do now.
Everyone who has the means is aiding victims of disasters or traumas, and aid organizations are very much active. Donors who are concerned about whether their donations will reach the right people can deliver them to manufacturers or producers in the affected area.
Published April 2023
