Santana Begum, a 21-year-old lactating mother, lost her first child because of her lack of knowledge about health and nutrition for both her and her unborn child. However, One of Santana's relatives introduced her to the Save the Children's Shishuder Jonno Program. As soon as she was introduced, one community organizer and H&N of the Shishuder Jonno urban program guided Santana Begum on ANC-related services and provided regular counseling on the health and nutrition of both the expectant mother and the unborn child, as well as early stimulation and child protection.
She routinely took part in the classes for expectant women held at the resource center. On August 13, 2022, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and she and the baby boy are both fit and healthy. The initiatives through SJ were the reason for happiness for their whole family and helped them break through cultural taboos and social superstitions.
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Lale*, 12, began living with her family in a container city in Islahiye, Gaziantep, following the devastating earthquakes happened in southern Türkiye in 2023. Currently in the 7th grade, Lale* is a bright, ambitious young girl passionate about volleyball and dreams of becoming a teacher. Her entire social environment and surroundings have been reshaped within the container city. Save the Children Türkiye established a child friendly space and social center to the container city where Lale* lives and has implemented MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) activities in the child-friendly space. As part of MHPSS activities, Lale* participates in the Children’s Committee, a program for children aged 6-17 that promotes awareness of their rights, emotional development, and community involvement. Through this initiative, children engage in fun, interactive activities to learn about safety, emotions, and responsibilities. They also contribute to creating group agreements, voice their needs, and suggest improvements for their living spaces. Lale*, an active member of the committee, values the safe and inclusive environment it provides, where she can freely express her ideas. The discussions on children’s rights and emotional well-being have empowered her to become a confident advocate. A key topic in the committee discussed with children was the need for safe recreational spaces, like bicycle paths and volleyball courts, which Lale* believes are vital for children’s physical and emotional health. Lale* feels confident and ready to engage with a committee of adults, eager to share the important decisions made by the children’s committee. Passionate about children’s rights, Lale* advocates for safe environments, especially for children and women. These activities have helped Lale* feel emotionally secure and resilient despite the challenges she’s faced, teaching her to express emotions in healthy ways. Lale* aspires to help people in need, particularly those without homes, and to break societal prejudices, fostering empathy for others, especially women. Supporting children like Lale* helps amplify children voices within their communities, empowering them to represent their peers, express themselves, and advocate for their rights. As Lale* mentioned, children best understand their own needs, so children who learn to express their needs effectively become essential voices in the rebuilding process, particularly in disaster-affected areas. Listening directly to children about their living spaces and giving them a voice is key to creating environments that promote safety and well-being. This approach serves as a guide for everyone in providing spaces where children’s rights and needs are addressed. For this reason, Save the Children Türkiye encourages children's participation in decision-making processes. We integrate their ideas into our programs and shape our activities based on their feedback. We support children in expressing their needs and views freely through child-friendly feedback mechanisms. We create spaces, such as this committee, where children can raise their voices and establish platforms where they can express themselves. Ayşe Nur Gençalp / Save the Children Türkiye
