Students from Tzu Chi’s El Menahil International School, most of whom are refugees, recently joined their Turkish peers to celebrate the 102nd anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye. The event, held on October 29, 2025, at Sultangazi Piri Reis Secondary School in Istanbul, was more than just a cultural celebration; it was a profound exchange of hearts, symbolizing gratitude and belonging for those who have found a second home in Türkiye after being displaced by conflict.

Students from Tzu Chi’s El Menahil International School join Turkish students to celebrate Türkiye's National Day.

A Shared Celebration

The celebration saw students from El Menahil and Sultangazi Piri Reis Secondary School standing side-by-side on stage, singing the national anthem, "İstiklâl Marşı" (The Independence March), and reciting poems such as "Draw a Picture, Child" and "A Call to Anatolia and the Republic." Their fluent Turkish expressions conveyed deep respect and affection for their host country, demonstrating the power of education to transcend linguistic and national boundaries.

Yusuf Kılınç, the event host, shared his joy, stating, "Such gatherings make us all very happy. They celebrate our festival as their own, and this shared resonance is incredibly precious."

Unity and Gratitude Through Education

Zehra Varlık, Vice Principal of El Menahil International School, emphasized the educational significance of the joint celebration. "Students experienced the power of unity and learned respect and gratitude through this event," she noted. "It was an invaluable lesson in character education."

Hafize Tuğba, the event planner and coordinator, expressed her sentiments about the collaboration. "This joint event with the Turkish school holds immense importance for building a bridge between our two schools. We approached every stage with the utmost enthusiasm and care," she said. "This cross-school collaboration allowed me to witness the light of different cultures reflecting in education, and I deeply realized that love can bring schools and nations closer. This is not just a learning experience for the students, but also a moving moment for us educators."

A Bridge of Love and Hope

Tzu Chi volunteers Faisal Hu (胡光中) and Nadya Chou (周如意) were invited to witness this heartwarming exchange. Representing Tzu Chi Foundation and El Menahil School, they presented commemorative gifts to the Turkish school as a token of appreciation and goodwill.

Education knows no borders, and love can overcome language barriers. May this kindness blossom in the hearts of these children and extend into future hope.
— Faisal Hu, Tzu Chi Türkiye Representative
Seeing the children bravely stand on stage and express themselves with confidence, I deeply felt the power of education and the beauty of cultural integration.
—Nadya Chou, Tzu Chi Türkiye Volunteer
Tzu Chi volunteers Faisal Hu (center) and Nadya Chou (right), represented Tzu Chi in witnessing this joyful event.

The event concluded with vibrant Turkish folk dances, where teachers and students from both schools held hands and danced to the music. This symbolic gesture highlighted the flowing currents of friendship, respect, and understanding. The intertwining smiles and applause created a beautiful scene, forming an unforgettable memory for these young students.

The event concluded with vibrant Turkish folk dances, where teachers and students from both schools held hands and danced to the music.

On this day, the power of love and gratitude expanded through dance. Education is not merely the transmission of knowledge but also the convergence of spirits. Through Tzu Chi's long-standing educational support in Türkiye, El Menahil International School continues to witness this genuine exchange that transcends religion, culture, and language, allowing love to know no boundaries and hope to shine brightly in the hearts of children.

Written by Nadya Chou (周如意)

Photos by Ahmed Şeyhi, Emine Albay, Mustafa Hamwi, Abdulrahman Hritani (Media Office)

Translated by Mindy Chen (陳敏理)

Source: 土耳其慈濟與滿納海學子受邀出席土耳其國慶