Türkiye 🇹🇷 & Syria Earthquake Relief

I am deeply saddened to have heard the news regarding the recent earthquakes that have hit Türkiye and Syria. More than 15 thousand casualties have been recorded and is expected to rise every day. It is estimated that more than 23 million people are directly affected by this disaster. Both countries will now try to build those places affected from their ashes. Thanks to the Turkish and Syrian Societies, I along with several student societies and charities, will partake in a fundraising event to contribute to the rescuing efforts for the people influenced by this disaster on Saturday, February 18th at the piazza outside the St Andrews Student Union from 12.30-17.00. There are many activities planned from a bake-sale to a raffle throughout the day to both raise awareness and collect donations. All the money collected in this event will be donated directly to the charities from both Turkey and Syria.

🇹🇷🇸🇾 Collection

At the event on Saturday I will be selling these handmade Turkish evil eye inspired earrings, rings and adjustable bracelets with will have 100% of the proceeds go to the charity described below.

There is a go fund me to raise donations online. You can find the link below:

https://gofund.me/39261bc7

For more information regarding charities that will be donated to read below!:\

All donations will be donated to Ahbap (A Turkish NGO) a Turkish Non-Governmental Organization, founded by Haluk Levent, and has more than 30 thousand active members. Ahbap aims to provide all kinds of aid to people in need to strengthen the awareness of cooperation in society. It has provided help in terms of search & rescue, food, clothing, and much more in the recent natural disasters, the Izmir earthquake 2020 and the Marmaris Forest Fire 2022. They have proved to be the most reliable organizations since the first day of the recent Earthquake. They have thousands of active members working both on the frontline in the areas affected by the earthquake and members working to organize all the donations to be effectively allocated.

The White Helmets, also known as Syria Civil Defence, is a humanitarian organisation established in 2012. It is dedicated to helping communities prepare for, and respond to, attacks in Northwest Syria. It also provides other services including firefighting, removal of unexploded weapons, community safety awareness, electrical and sewage maintenance and rehabilitation of neighbourhoods.The White Helmets are the main organization in Northwest Syria currently responding to the aftermaths of the earthquake and saving people from under rubble. The UK Govemenet has recently donated to the White Helmets to support its work in Syria. For more information, you can watch the White Helmets film on Netflix.

Even a £1 donation can make a difference!

🧿🪬 Evil Eye Origins 🪬 🧿

I have met with the Turkish and Syrian society at the University of Saint Andrews, and we have collaborated on some jewelry designs to raise money for the earthquake victims. One of the main aspects of each piece is the Turkish evil eye 🧿 Some people may be familiar with the infamous eye but others may no actually know it's meaning! It's has many interpretations across cultures and religions but in Turkey it is said to repel evil and protect you from bad spirits!

Here's some more info!