Istanbulite Brothers and Sisters Sending Gift Books and Toys to Friends Affected by Earthquake

“Children Hand in Hand, Gifts for Hope and Brotherhood!..”

Students from the Children’s Education Unit of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality City Theatres are leading a toy and book campaign titled “Children Hand in Hand, Gifts for Hope and Brotherhood!” for their brothers and sisters affected by the earthquake.

The students who receive theater education at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality City Theatres Children’s Education Unit are organizing a toy and book campaign for their brothers and sisters affected by the earthquake. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality City Theatres, which will open its curtains with children’s plays on March 5th Sunday, will also start the gift toy and book campaign together with the children’s plays.

With the “Children Hand in Hand, Gifts for Hope and Brotherhood!” campaign, our children who will be the artists of the future are leading the development of awareness and sensitivity for their brothers and sisters. In this campaign, which will be a beautiful example of our children’s solidarity, children living in Istanbul can include a gift book or toy and a letter expressing their emotions and thoughts to comfort their earthquake-affected siblings in the gift packages.

Letter Brotherhood

Children, by adding their emotions to their gifts, are also initiating a strong friendship for the future. Children who express hope, solidarity, empathy, brotherhood, and their sorrows in their letters, have participated in this campaign by giving a gift of either a book they have read or a new one they have purchased, or a toy that is very important to them and they have either given or bought a new one for the campaign.

Children from various regions in our country, including 11 provinces, were deeply affected by this earthquake disaster, and their peers are supporting them to alleviate their pain to some extent. This sensitivity and friendship that began in these difficult times will lead to sincere friendships in the future.

Children’s Plays Start on March 5th

Not only the earthquake region but also children in other cities of our country were affected negatively. In this sense, in order to make effective use of the healing power of art, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality City Theatres is opening its curtains with children’s plays. With this campaign, our lobbies will be the scene of children’s solidarity especially before our children’s plays.

Games Going to Earthquake Zone

IBB City Theatres, in consultation with educators and psychologists, has finalized its preparations by conducting special workshops with its artists who will be going to the earthquake-stricken region. A comprehensive plan is being made to activate the healing power of art with performances in the earthquake zone that will span over a year. A team of technicians and artists has completed their inspections in the earthquake zone. The events, which will begin as soon as possible, will be launched primarily for children and mothers. Afterwards, activities and games will be added to the program for adults.

Gifts Will be Delivered to Our Stages

Within the framework of the “Children Hand in Hand, Gifts to Hope and Brotherhood” campaign led by our Children Education Unit students, gifts will be accepted during the week of March 5th at all our stages, to be distributed to earthquake-stricken children before children’s plays.

Letters of solidarity and brotherhood written by our children to their siblings in the earthquake zone, as well as book and toy gifts, will be delivered to our collection centers at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Kartal Logistics Center and Yenikapı Kadir Topbaş Cultural Center and distributed to the children in the earthquake zone.

Expert Clinical Psychologist Mahide Bingöl: “Support from peers is beneficial for every child”

Expert Clinical Psychologist Mahide Bingöl explains the meaning of solidarity among children in difficult times and what to consider when choosing gifts: “It is important and very beneficial for children to exchange gifts and provide mutual support among themselves after the earthquake. As children are supported through these processes, they can overcome them more easily with love. Sharing in difficult times, finding support, and solidarity make things easier. If this support comes from peers, emotions become more understandable. Receiving support from peers, being remembered and valued is good for every child. It gives them trust and warmth. Sharing especially among peers, being loved without knowing or seeing each other is very beneficial in terms of healing traumas.

Since earthquake-affected children will need a sense of comfort and hugging initially, our first preference could be plush toys. This would be effective in supporting this need. It is not correct to avoid toy selections such as construction vehicles, ambulances, etc. for children. Sometimes, these toys can be useful in trauma therapies because it is not possible to completely avoid encountering these things in life. Therefore, supportive games are played to reduce anxieties instead of avoiding them. Games heal traumas. Instead of categorizing toys, it is important to emphasize their healing aspects on children. In book selection, age-appropriate books should be chosen. In terms of book content, love, cooperation, and friendship themes can be preferred.