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

South Korean NGO: It’s hard to make sense of what is being done to Kimse Yok Mu

Officials of Bonita, a South Korean NGO that engages in research and efforts for children and labor rights, said they find it hard to make sense of the oppression against Kimse Yok Mu (KYM). The officials recently went to Aceh, Indonesia, to witness the KYM efforts during Eid al-Adha. The region had suffered most in the tsunami that hit the country in 2005.

Feud between Turkey’s Erdogan and influential cleric goes public

A feud between Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and an influential Islamic cleric has spilled into the open months ahead of elections, highlighting fractures in the religiously conservative support base underpinning his decade in power. The reclusive cleric drew parallels with the behavior of the secularist military in the build up to past coups.

Turkish schools in Afghanistan won 147 medals this year

Afghan-Turkish schools are source of pride for the country as they won 147 medals this year at international Science olympiads. They won 75 medals last year. The Education Minister made a speech underlining that Turkey had always helped his country in education. He said, “Today, this ceremony’s purpose is to celebrate the efforts the students show and the high quality education these schools provide.”

Second Turkish high school for girls opens in Afghanistan

SULTAN FAIZY, HERAT The second high school for girls built by Turks in Afghanistan recently opened its doors following an official ceremony. The school, built in Herat, is a continuation of benevolent Turks’ efforts to invest in Afghanistan’s future through building schools countrywide. The first such school was opened in Kabul. The opening ceremony was […]

Mali Minister pledges to maintain good relations with Kimse Yok Mu

Three Mali ministers and high officials, a guest from Turkey and from Europe met at the charity event, which was sponsored by the Horizon College in Mali, Yardım Zamanı Derneği of Mali and Yardım Zamanı of Europe aid organizations. While he was the Minister of Education, Diarra said he had the opportunity to work together with the Horizon College Turkey school, and on this occasion he had a chance to know more about the influential Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen.

Hagi serves baklava to ‘Colors of the World’ in Romania

Students, arriving at Romania for International Festival of Language and Culture (IFLC), visited the legendary football name Gheorghe Hagi, at his club building in Constanta, on Saturday.

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

Turkish charity Kimse Yok Mu represents Turkey at UN summit

Officials involved in illegal deportation of Turkish teachers indicted by Kosovar court

KYM Volunteers lend a hand to Kosovo

Fethullah Gulen’s Condemnation and Condolences Message on Istanbul Terrorist Attack

Why is Fethullah Gülen so influential?

4th International Panel for Sharing Coexistence Experience in Korea

Peace ambassador students conquer hearts at European Parliament

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News