“Had One Heart, And We Put It Out There”
There was a meeting organized on April 2, 2012 for the twentieth anniversary of the founding of YEKUV (21st Century Education and Culture Association). There was a short paragraph on the brochure that was held out that captured the timeline and the reason for the existence of the association.
“Had one heart, and we put it out there…” it started and continued on about the progress of the foundation of how only ten students were sponsored in their educational journey in 1992 and it grew to twenty thousand in the 20th anniversary of the foundation.
YEKUV is one of the many associations founded by LIONS. Today it touches the lives of twenty thousand young men and women with the help and support of the general public. On the anniversary night, on behalf of the president of the foundation Ms. Gulbin Sozen, Assistant Director Ms. Tulay Erkan facilitated a wonderful presentation to offer heartfelt thanks to all the associations and persons present.
It is possible to donate various amounts for YEKUV that works to serve the public. For instance a donation of 40 TL will support an elementary student’s education.
Helping the young students through YEKUV scholarships is more beneficial than personal sponsorship.
To find out more information about this please visit the “Opportunities for our Scholars” section of YEKUV’s website.
“YEKUV aims to provide assistance for the scholars not only financially but also with projects that support personal growth and development. With this in mind, the projects offered for the past twenty years include but not limited to, educational and cultural meetings that bring the scholars and experts together, NLP seminars, computer courses, classes to encourage success, concerts, theater and similar cultural activities, psychological support, guidance counseling, internship opportunities, youth panels, leadership and career days, picnics, celebrations, dinners, clothing donations, cultural tours, citizenship education, Children’s Rights Agreement.”
The highlight of the night for Ms. Tulay Erkan and Ms. Gulbin Sozen must have been the moment when the scholars were called to the stage. The invited students were not only honor students but also number one in their selected majors. They received a great applause from the full capacity Caddebostan Cultural Center audience.
These students have completed their education with great success and were accepted to the foundation being monitored throughout their school years. This shows a great example of how careful the foundation uses the scholarship for the students.
Since its foundation in 1992, Yeni Harbiye Lions Club puts aside a certain amount for the YEKUV scholarship pool annually. This amount provides scholarship for average of fifty students with various amounts depending on the choosing of the term president. For this reason, YEKUV thanks its term presidents every year. This year current president Ms. Ln. Nuran Kocdur was among those who received thanks along with the presidents of Cagaloglu Two Lions Club and Haydarpasa Lions Club.
Our meeting came to a close with a spectacular piano recital by world-renowned pianist Idil Biret.
It was a meaningful meeting with the participation of the proud supporters who never cease to open their hearts.
For another successful twenty years! Happy birthday YEKUV!
Our Lion Guest From Germany
Lions Club Hannover 1.Vice President Dr. Wener Van Almshick was in Istanbul on March 24th through 28th 2012. In the message he sent us earlier, he mentioned that he had been watching our club activities and was looking forward to meeting us. This meeting took place on March 26, 2012.
People present at the meeting were our president Nuran Kocdur, past president Ayse Belentepe, 1.Vice President Cigdem Ercan and 2.Vice Prosident Mine Aksar.
Lions Club projects were the topic under discussion at the meeting.
During his stay in Istanbul with his family to plan the future Istanbul visit for Lions Club Hannover members, Dr. Van Almsick expressed his wish of participating in a meet and greet where members of both clubs get together.
We would like to take this opportunity to say that we will be happy to accommodate him in the upcoming term with hopes of having long lasting collaborations in the future.
We also would like to extend our thanks to volunteers Rana Yilmaz and Ayca Pehlivan for all their help with translations and communicational support during the meeting.
About March 21: World Down Syndrome Day
Istanbul Yeni Harbiye Lions Club is an organization that diligently supports each and every project that is geared towards creating a happy environment for people with disabilities.
There is a child with Down syndrome among the participants of the ‘My Horse Is My Door to Life’ project that works toward the main goal of ‘healing disabilities through Hippotherapy’ created by Yeni Harbiye Lions Club during the 2011 – 2012 term. According to the reports we gather from the experts and parents since July 2011, it is evident that regular rehabilitation applied to people with Down syndrome has fared positive results.
Here are some of the bullet points we would like to share on our increased awareness about Down syndrome with the help of the project:
- Down syndrome is not a curable disease but a genetic condition.
- People with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. They carry three of the 21st chromosomes that causes the creation of that extra 47th chromosome. This additional single chromosome is the reason of physical and mental difference while it causes developmental problems.
- People with Down syndrome have the ability to finish high school, obtain an undergraduate degree, get a job and maintain independent or semi-independent lives.
United Nations have declared March 21 as the World Down Syndrome Day on November 10, 2011.
2012 is significant to be the first year of the World Down Syndrome Day to be celebrated nationally and internationally.
The date of March 21 symbolizes the three 21st chromosomes.
The increased activities on the week of March 21 are meant to lead each project that focuses on generating public awareness and to help create a productive, independent, happy life for people with Down syndrome in their communities.
Down Syndrome Association is the professional organization that undertakes these projects in Turkey, nationwide. Website for the foundation, www.downturkiye.com, contains information on Down syndrome, education and advice for people with Down syndrome among many other useful links. The bullet points we have mentioned above is taken from this website.
We Wish To Have Their Excitement Continue Increasing
The March 13 meeting of Yeni Harbiye Lions Club differed from the other meetings of the year. Mr. Ln. Ergin Ayral and Ulus Lions Club president Ms. Ln. Husne Merter graced us with their presence.
We have witnessed the initiation ceremony of the newest nine members of the 2011 – 12 term of our Lions Club. Just like most of the other initiation ceremonies, this one was also facilitated by Mr. Ln. Ergin Ayral.
“I am happy to be welcoming our new members to work and contribute in various aspects whether it be sharing of knowledge or interest throughout LIONS,” said Mr. Ayral. “There is a story of service prepared by one of the founding members, Ms. Ln. Nimet Ascioglu to better acknowledge the branch of your membership. I invite Ln. Goksel Ekmekci to read us this story.”
Our past president Mr. Ekmekci read this long story, which we will publish on our website soon.
Two of the new members were not able to join the ceremony, while the other nine studied the club projects among us. Their Lions pins were presented by the founding members and our president.
Our members in the chronological order of their initiation are Ms.Ln. Elena Deren as a transfer member, Ms. Ln. Nursel Tunc, Ms. Ln. Alpin Sahin, Ms. Ln. Cansen Eren, Ms. Ln. Zeynep Davrak, Ms. Ln. Hulya Ozkartal, Ms. Ln. Nuran Berker, Ms.Ln. Nihal Isidan and Ms. Ln. Emine Sahin.
Founded as ‘Liones’ in 1977, Yeni Harbiye Lions Club is a non-profit organization that officially became ‘Lions Club’ in 1992, continues to serve our community with projects focusing on community service.
Each year a new project based around youth and children is put in motion. Apart from the main project, the club actively supports many sub-projects undertaken by the Lions District 118-T and General Management. LIONS and YEKUV also provide many scholarship and educational funds to those who seek it and are eligible. Lions Club has been sponsoring many social and cultural activities that focus on education and health since its beginnings. Exchange in Youth Program and Peace Poster competition are just two examples of this sponsorship.
Just like all the other Lions meetings, Yeni Harbiye Lions Club meetings are open to the public. To join and be a part of a meeting, please contact us at yharbiyelions@gmail.com.
We would like to re-extend our invitation to all the professional ladies out there that would like to share their expertise and help the community:
Melani
Melani is one of the twins of Melissa Asaduryan. Mrs. Asaduryan is Karolin Kelkit’s daughter, who is one of our dearest members of our club and immediate past president Lion Sahnar Bosnuk’s childhood friend from kindergarten that she hasn’t seen in years.
Mrs. Asaduryan first came across our project through our online publications in the social media while looking for Hippotherapy sessions, and showed what she found to her mother. Mrs. Kelkit, who resides in Marmaris, immediately recognized her friend from the pictures. As soon as she saw her friend, she got in touch with her and they arrived at the Gollu Riding Center. The embrace we witnessed years later happened during this visit.
“Melani is with cerebral palsy,” said Mrs. Asaduryan. “She wasn’t as lucky as her twin during birth. For a certain period of time, the brain was cut off from the oxygen supply.”
Melani is now thirteen. She understands what her mother is saying and responds accordingly, but due to lack of muscle control they were looking for Hippotherapy sessions as treatment.
At Gollu Riding Center, she was introduced to her horse just like all the other children. She touched, brushed and patted the horse, which pleased her. Through these actions, she understood that the horse was not a threat and that she wouldn’t be harmed.
“Come on Melani,” said teacher Ali. “Grab the reins, we are going.” Just like all the other children, Melani did as told and they went to the manege.
This was the very first time riding, Melani. Wonder how you felt…
Your parents will bring you again.
We will wait for the day you give us the gift of your straight and correct posture.
Your arms and legs will get stronger.
That is what we shall hope, my dear.
By the way, what did teacher Esen tell you before riding Snowball? You had laughed about it. What was it?
Istanbul Yeni Harbiye Lions Club aims to draw attention of the public facilities and families to the existence of Hippotherapy as a rehabilitation option to improve and possibly cure balance and muscle problems a patient have. Melani’s parents reaching us and becoming a part of this project shows that each day we are one step closer to our goal.
And this makes us proud and happy…
