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

‘Selam’ – story of teachers in Turkish schools abroad to hit movie theaters in March

AYHAN HÜLAGÜ, İSTANBUL Director Levent Demirkale’s latest feature film, “Selam” (Greeting), which depicts the true stories of selfless teachers in Turkish schools abroad, will hit movie theaters in Turkey on March 29.The first-ever Turkish production filmed on three continents and four countries, “Selam” focuses on the stories of three teachers — Harun, Zehra and Adem […]

Refugee helps refugees

Syrian refugees are getting a helping hand from central Pennsylvania thanks to an effort being led by a refugee in Cumberland County. Zuhra Korkutovic knows what it’s like to have to leave your homeland and start over.

4 Turkish charity organizations on OCHA’s Nepal list

Four Turkish humanitarian aid organizations including Kimse Yok Mu, the Prime Ministry’s Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD), the Turkish Search and Rescue Team (AKUT) and GEA (Mother Earth) have been placed on the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ (OCHA) list of teams providing humanitarian aid in the devastating Nepal earthquake.

S.A. nun speaks at the U.N. on Gulen

Sister Martha Ann Kirk had spoken publicly about her trips to Iraq and her time in that beleaguered country — where so little hope seems to exist, especially for educational opportunity for girls.

Kimse Yok Mu offers much-needed help in Gaza

Since the start of the offensive, the Kimse Yok Mu foundation has worked to bring in much-needed aid and assistance, and it is still a point of hope for many of those whose lives were shaken by the conflict. The organization has so far helped bring food, supplies and medicine to local hospitals, and it has recently provided around $500,000 in aid.

Gov’t cancels Kimse Yok Mu’s previously obtained permissions

Following an abrupt Cabinet decision to remove the status of public interest of Kimse Yok Mu, the largest volunteer and global aid organization based in Turkey, the government has also cancelled the charity’s previously obtained permissions to collect donation until the end of this year.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Victims of Erdogan’s witch-hunt and purge get their voice heard

What does Turkey deserve?

Turks Should Question The Official Narrative That Gulen Was Behind The Coup

Imam Sytari praises Gulen as a global thinker

An unshakable spiritual unity, unique to Hizmet Movement volunteers

Volunteers Back from Medical Service in Somalia

The Battle For Turkey’s Soul

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News