Solidarity and the Future...

It was the beginning of September, and as schools were about to open, I received a message on social media. I wanted to share it with you.

"Hello Professor.

I am O.D., a student in the Department of Turkish Language and Literature/History at Boğaziçi University, and also a scholarship recipient of the TÜLOV Foundation. As of this semester, I have graduated from the university. I am sending this email to thank you for being by my side throughout my university life. I don't know exactly how to express it, but the scholarship you provided was not just financial support; it was also a concrete manifestation of the belief you had in me. When I first came to Istanbul, I was a student who didn't know anyone. Knowing that there were people in this city, along with you, who were supporting me took away the feeling of loneliness. Your presence by my side allowed me to move forward with more self-confidence and determination. Your support for me also paved my way spiritually. Now that I have graduated and look back, I can understand the importance of your support even better. I hope that in the future, I can also be someone who helps open such beautiful feelings in the hearts of students. I am glad you exist.

Sincerely,

-O.D."

In the past, letters were received and letters were sent. Nowadays, emails are sent and received. And then there is the e-signature. We have come to long for ink. Social communication has become both very easy and very intense. My concern is not communication. That field is advancing rapidly in its own course. Now, artificial intelligence has also emerged. Let's see what else we will witness!

This email took me back years ago. It was the 1970s. My father was a mason and an insured worker at the Etibank Chrome Operations in Göcek, Fethiye. My mother was a housewife. In other words, the family had a single income. We were three siblings studying in İzmir. We were living in a two-room house, six people in total—the three of us siblings and the children of a farmer from Çine in the other room—eating, studying, and going to school. How much can a worker help?

My father, who worked day and night to make ends meet and support us, went to the late Nuri Altınel, the accountant of the Etibank Chrome Operations. He asked for help. He hadn't heard about scholarships. After correspondence and meetings, the Etibank General Directorate decided to grant me a scholarship. Our whole family felt great happiness, and thanks to that scholarship, my siblings and I were able to complete our education. I graduated from the Ege University Faculty of Medicine and became a doctor.

I convey my gratitude to those who paved the way for me or my father, and to the executives of Etibank, which was a major institution of this state in those years. We owe a lot to the Atatürk Republic, to the Republic of Turkey. We have no choice but to work.

We all see and experience the state to which those who govern Turkey today have brought the country. Let alone kitchen expenses, even covering just transportation costs is a major problem. Unfortunately, the state scholarship has become three thousand TL. And that is only for those who can receive it.

As the Turkey Promotion, Research, Democracy and Secularism Foundation (TÜLOV), we have provided aid to over one hundred thousand of our young people during both the earthquake and pandemic periods. Furthermore, we strive to provide scholarships to our successful students who are in difficult circumstances every year.

When CHP Chairman Mr. Özgür Özel asks at every rally (as of June) who has an income below the poverty line of 86,000 TL, nearly 90% of those attending the rally raise their hands. Under these conditions, how will families educate their children? Is it possible not to struggle?

The society's sensitivity to solidarity has decreased. The middle class has been wiped out. The upper segment of society also seems to have no interest in the country's problems. We owe a debt to this country, to our future. Even if it is a small amount, we must, and we can, help our youth through NGOs. This year is much more difficult. Let us revive our sense of solidarity, which was stronger in the past. As TÜLOV, we await your support in taking care of our youth and providing scholarships.

In the meantime, let me conclude my article with some good news about solidarity. We are participating in the November 2 Istanbul Marathon for TÜLOV scholarship support. Şanlıurfa Deputy Mr. Mahmut Tanal will participate on behalf of our foundation. He will wear the TÜLOV jersey. We will be there too. We look forward to your support.

We need everyone. Let us take care of our youth, our future.