Turgay Tanülkü's family of 101

The story of how veteran actor Turgay Tanülkü met his first child began in the 1980s at Ulucanlar Prison, where he was incarcerated for political reasons.

Having lost his own father when he was 6 years old, Tanülkü was deeply affected by an incident he witnessed during his time there. After his release, with his father's permission, he took responsibility for the child of a life-term inmate and supported their education. Tanülkü and his wife, Zehra Tanülkü, who has always been his greatest supporter, decided to become a family for children whose parents were in prison, as well as for children living on the streets.

With the money he earned from theater and television series, along with his wife's salary, Tanülkü has provided for and educated 26 children to date, housing them in rented homes in various provinces. The Tanülkü couple now spends their days with a family of 101 people, including their children—among whom are two prosecutors and a lawyer—and their grandchildren.

'I WAS DOING GOOD FOR MY OWN LONGINGS'

According to the report by Anadolu Agency, Turgay Tanülkü, who shared his life story and experiences, said that his first son is now 45 years old and lives in Ankara. Stating that he felt great happiness in caring for his son at that time, Tanülkü said, "I would go and pick him up from school, I would hold his hand. Because he was my own longing, too. I didn't have a father. I could never hold my father's hand. The photo of the child was my own photo. In fact, I was doing good for myself, for my own longings."

Immediately afterward, explaining that he began acting as a father to 5 more children whose parents were in prison, Tanülkü continued:

"The day a daughter came into our world, our world began to change completely. A daughter is too special to be shared. I wanted them to study so much. I started doing theater in prisons. There are many children there. I started taking them in. The state keeps children in prison until they are 6 years old and then takes them into its own custody. During that process, we reach an agreement with the families, and my wife and I ensure they get an education. I had performed a play at Bakırköy Women's Prison. A lady friend held her baby up and said, 'Teacher, I gave birth to this child for you.' That is the youngest child I have taken in. Afterward, I started taking in children from the streets. My children began to consist of paper collectors and glue sniffers, and our population gradually increased."

'THEIR CRYING, THEIR LAUGHTER ARE VERY SPECIAL TO ME IN EVERY RESPECT'

Stating that they rent houses for their children and provide for their care, Tanülkü said, "We don't have a house either; we are also renting. After you pay, every house is yours. We are very happy. The only thing we ask of them is to study."

Expressing that helping is not just about feeding a child, but that the real issue is showing affection, Tanülkü said:

"To say 'be a foster family' sounds like a luxury to me. Protect them according to what? If the name changes, it is a perfect thing to claim them. There are many children on the streets. Those of my children who have graduated, who have jobs, and who have started their own families look back, and they take care of the children coming after them. This is a chain. There should be a chain in foster care as well. Children abandoned on the streets also come from a mother and father. Malicious people use them. My wife and I are trying to close that gap as best we can. Because of what I experienced in the past, I cannot have children of my own. That is why every child out there is sacred to me. Their crying, their laughter are very special to me in every respect. I thank the Creator for granting us such a thing."

Explaining that there is also a 4-year-old girl who lost her family in the February 6 earthquakes, Tanülkü said, "Our daughter is still waiting for her mother. While the others are playing, she sits. I say, 'My daughter, come on, play,' and she says, 'No, my mother will come.' She is the only one I cannot solve."

'MY CREDO IS LOVE'

Stating that all his children address him and his wife as "father" and "mother," Tanülkü continued his words:

"The little ones started calling me 'grandpa.' I owe a lot to my wife, Zehra. If it weren't for my wife, I couldn't have done these things. Her heart is also very different, even more so than mine. Children miss the scent of a mother. My children stand in front of me and talk while touching Zehra. The sense of touch means fatherhood and motherhood. My actor friends say, 'Let us give money, spend it on the children.' No, you have to go and sit with them, share your bread. This is what the child longs for. What matters is love. These children need love. A child who does not see love in the family cannot establish love in the home they build themselves.

I want to send the children to their families during holidays. Three days later, they call and say, 'Come and get us.' We are happy. We are very happy that we can share holidays and special days with those children. The older ones came; we talked to those who couldn't come via video call. I have children studying in Yozgat, 3 sisters. I ask the older ones, 'Father, do you need anything?' and they say, 'No, father.' When I ask the youngest, she says, 'You come.' It is a completely different world. That is why everyone should show love to everything. My credo is love, as much love as I can give. This is the happiness of both my wife and me. I see both in them. I have 10 grandchildren. They have the scent of their mothers and fathers. Everything is the scent and touch of a human being. This is what we do."

'THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMS FOR US'

Stating that 17 of his children are studying at university, Tanülkü said, "There is no such thing as supplementary exams for us. They all start studying by watching each other. My older ones come to the younger ones and teach them English and mathematics."

Saying, "I have two credos," Tanülkü added, "You never know when you will end up in a hospital or a prison. Therefore, no one should look down on anyone. If the children in prison and the street children, and the street children and the children in your home, ride the same swing in the same park, and we push them, we will achieve peace in this country. I teach this to my children as well."

News Source: 12punto