Turkey’s Changemakers: Abdullah Oskay working for young people raised in government care
The Sabancı Foundation’s Turkey’s Changemakers Program continues in its 6th season to share the unique stories of extraordinary people who contribute to social development. The 11th Changemaker of the 6th season is Abdullah Oskay.Oskay, who was taken in to government care at the age of 7, is now 31 years old. Currently, he works for a public institution. Starting from his own life story and knowing the problems of children and young people raised in government care, Oskay worked with children and young people raised under similar conditions. Together with his friends, he established the Hayat Sende Youth Academy Association in 2007.
The Hayat Sende Youth Academy Association conducts training programs to create awareness of social responsibility and volunteering. The number of young people who have participated in these trainings reached 2,000 as of March 2015. 30 of them participated in the Academy of Youth Raised in Government Care Project (YUGLA). 1,200 teachers participated in the Education Without Labels project, which addresses the labelling of students in the school environment. The teachers acquired the skills needed to help solve the problems of children and young people raised in government care. Oskay and his friends provided mentoring to more than 1,000 young people and taught them their rights. They conveyed the problems of young people raised under government care to more than 30,000 people through the more than 300 meetings they organized. They fought against the marginalization of children and youth in the media. They supported tens of local associations working with children and young people raised in government care in the area of institutionalization.
Together with his friends, Oskay embarked on an effort to solve the problems of children and young people raised in government care. Thanks to his efforts, thousands of people and institutions received trainings and consultancy. He has made a big difference in his own life, as well as in the lives of young people raised in government care.
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