Somalia’s brightest compete for education in Turkey


Date posted: October 9, 2011

Youth in the Somali capital of Mogadishu formed long lines in front of schools this week as they competed for a slot in a rapidly expanding student exchange program sponsored by the Turkish relief organization Kimse Yok Mu. The organization is planning to provide scholarships for 350 new students from the famine-stricken nation.

Bilal Çelik, Somalia representative for Kimse Yok Mu, explained in an interview with the Anatolia news agency that word of the program’s expansion has garnered an overwhelming response in the capital, with a total of 10,000 students attending exams over the 10-day testing period. Faced with such unprecedented numbers, the representative says the organization is considering as many factors as possible during the selection process. “We are giving priority to children living in tents and orphans,” he said.

Çelik notes that students are hopeful of gaining an education abroad, saying, “After seeing a good education in Turkey, these youths’ biggest goal is to return to their country and help their people as doctors, engineers or as experts in other fields.” The program aims to place the 350 new students in Turkish universities and prep schools within the next month.

The student exchange program is just one part of a massive aid campaign undertaken by Turkey in response to East Africa’s worst drought in 60 years. Turkey’s relief efforts so far have included donating TL 500 million in aid to Somalia and distributing food to 12 million people in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti. The UN’s refugee agency recently declared that the east African drought is currently the “worst humanitarian disaster” in the world, and has urged other international actors to pledge additional assistance.

In addition to the 350 students which it plans to support in the coming months, Kimse Yok Mu presently provides education for 400 high school and 100 university students from Somalia.

Source: Today's Zaman , 25 September 2011

Tags: | | | |


Related News

The Turkish Connection: Pak-Turk Schools

The network of [Pak-Turk] of schools came under the media scanner last month, after the Turkish government demanded that Pakistan close down the entire network following the failed army coup to overthrow Turkish President Erdogan. Since then, Erdogan has ordered a ruthless purge and arrest of anyone even suspected of having links with his political rival, Fethullah Gülen, whom Erdogan holds responsible for the coup attempt.

African students sad over govt’s move to wipe out Kimse Yok Mu

African students who have been sponsored by Kimse Yok Mu in their studies in Turkey are worried about the recent government action. The Somali and Congolese students studying in the Kayseri province of Turkey said, “We would not be able to study at high schools and universities in Turkey without Kimse Yok Mu’s assistance. It’s been covering our school, clothing, food, shelter and medical expenses since the beginning.”

Kimse Yok Mu’s Eid al-Adha aid efforts worldwide

Kimse Yok Mu aid and relief foundation, which provides Eid al-Adha aid in some 140 countries annually, channeled 1,450 sacrifice animals to Nigeriens through the local Bedir Schools, the second most impoverished country in the world. A total of 1,400 sacrifice animal shares sent from Turkey are going to be distributed to some 10 thousand families in various locations in Afghanistan.

Sudan arrests Gülen-linked businessman at Turkey’s request

Sudanese law enforcement detained Turkish businessman Memduh Çıkmaz at Ankara’s request as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement. Çıkmaz was detained in the capital city of Khartoum on Wednesday and denied request to meet his lawyer and family members.

Erdogan’s False Promises To Africa

The main issue Erdogan raises with his African counterparts is not improving economic and political relations, but the closure of the Gulen movement schools or their transfer to the Turkish Maarif Foundation, which was established solely for this purpose. Mr. Erdogan seems to be using official development assistances and “other financial tools” as carrots to convince African leaders.

Indonesian Sultan at Meliksah University in Kayseri

The Indonesian Sultan Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono was granted an honorary doctorate by Meliksah University in Kayseri. In attendance of the ceremony were the chairman of Boydak Group Board Haci Boydak, the president of Kayseri Young Industrialists and Businessmen Association Hamdi Kinas and numerous academics and businessmen. The deputy-rector Prof. Tankut Yalcinoz delivered the opening […]

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Gulen teachings take root

Turks are not cows

Saylorsburg protesters focus on Turkish cleric

Scholars to Address Nigerian Conference

What Bishop Welby’s appointment reminds: Are we responding to God’s calling?

EU, US Have Little Leverage as Turkish Democracy Backslides

Turkey’s Erdogan and July 15 coup

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News