Halit and Fatma Erdem couple, who have 3 children and 9 grandchildren, are happy in their new home, as their house was heavily damaged in Hatay during the disaster of the century. Halit Erdem (65) expressed his joy by saying, “My state gave me the house that I couldn’t even roof, literally for free.” Erdem Family, whose 2-storey detached houses in Hatay’s Ötençay District were destroyed in the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, settled in the village houses built by the state for earthquake victims in the same neighborhood. “We were not expecting such a beautiful and big house,” said Halit Erdem, adding, “The real surprise for us was the payments. We were expecting a payment of at least 2 million TL. We were thinking about how we would pay, but the moment our President announced the payments, our happiness doubled.

Our state has once again shown how it protects the people. If I wanted to build this house myself, I couldn’t even build the roof for 448 thousand liras. We became homeowners for the cost of a roof. I will take out a loan and pay it immediately. “May God grant everyone such a beautiful house,” she said. Stating that her house is spacious, Fatma Erdem (61) said, “People around us were telling us, ‘Even if he did, you wouldn’t be able to handle that debt.’ Thank God, our President embarrassed those who could not bear it. I even enjoy cleaning my house. “My grandchildren are having fun in the garden,” he said.

The urban transformation project carried out in Tozkoparan, Istanbul, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and Güngören Municipality, continues successfully. In the project, 1179 residences and 43 workplaces have been completed so far and delivered to their beneficiaries. Citizens experienced the joy of Ramadan Feast in their new homes this year. The first 3 stages of the Tozkoparan Urban Transformation Project, implemented by Emlak Konut GYO, have been completed. In the 4th stage, which continues under the coordination of the Urban Transformation Directorate, the construction of 2 thousand 498 residences and 133 workplaces continues.

Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, shared the images of citizens who have new and solid houses in Tozkoparan, Güngören district, and said, “The joy of living in solid and safe houses with their parks, gardens, and our children without being left behind is different. This is how the holiday was spent in the transformed Tozkoparan.”

‘WE SLEEP EASILY NOW’

Neighborhood residents, who gained solid homes with urban transformation, also talked about the great change they experienced. Serhan Yıldız said, “This place is modern and spacious, designed with beautiful engineering. I personally came and saw it during the construction phases, I think it is quite solid. Now, when we put our heads on the pillow, we sleep comfortably. The payment plan is very good. So, I think it is suitable for all budgets.” Explaining that their old house was very humid, Ali Yalçın summarized the happiness of his new home with the following sentences: “All those who ask say, ‘Uncle Ali, it is really as you described.’ I say, ‘Come’, let’s take a tour. I say, ‘Come’, enter the house together. Let’s go to my flat. I say, ‘Come’, let’s go to the garages. Let’s go downstairs to the garages. I say, ‘Come’ and watch me enter the door. I said, ‘You can’t enter without a card. You can’t enter without a card.’ “They made it into a stanza.” ANKARA

‘I FEEL SAFE HERE’

Melisa Şahin, who has been living in the region for 30 years, drew particular attention to the security and social facilities and said, “I feel safe. I have a baby, I may not be able to take him to a park outside, but I can go out here immediately, there is a park opposite my house, and the garden is very large. Also, the neighborly culture still continues, which is very important in this era.”

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced that 18 thousand 860 children have benefited from the Anka Child Support Program since 2014. The program is implemented to ensure the psychosocial recovery of traumatized children and strengthen their social adaptation. Within the scope of the program carried out within the Specialized Children’s Homes Site (İÇES), the rehabilitation process is planned taking into account the individual needs of the children. While a counselor is assigned to each child admitted to the institution, an Individual Needs and Risk Assessment Form (BIRDEF) is filled out within the first 10 days. With this evaluation, the child’s social, psychological and family situation is analyzed and appropriate support mechanisms are put into action. Program; It consists of individual counseling, group studies, family support services and crisis intervention processes. Group studies are carried out in 78 sessions under 5 headings, each session lasting 45 minutes. In addition, through work with families, parenting skills are strengthened and child-family relationships are supported. As a result of the evaluations made every three months, the service process of the children is replanned. The program aims for the healthy development of children with its reward-oriented approach and versatile support system.

New term student applications continue for DENEYAP Technology Workshops operating throughout Türkiye. Students interested in technology can apply until March 30. With workshops, students will have the opportunity to receive applied training in areas such as design, production and software. The new term student recruitment process continues for DENEYAP Technology Workshops, which were implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Technology, TUBITAK and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Applications for the program, which aims to train competent individuals in the field of technology throughout Türkiye, can be made until March 30.

Within the scope of the program, it is aimed to introduce students to technology development processes at an early age and to strengthen their production-oriented thinking skills. For the new semester, 4th and 5th grade, 8th grade, high school preparatory and 9th grade students will be able to apply.

Students who successfully complete all stages will have the right to participate in the 3-year free training program at DENEYAP Technology Workshops.

Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of Baykar, one of the leading companies in Türkiye’s defense industry, made important contacts in his hometown Trabzon, where he came for Ramadan Feast.

Following the Özdemir Bayraktar Science Center brought to the city, Bayraktar started work on a second science center, this time in Sürmene district. At the same time, Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Turkish Technology Team Foundation and Chairman of the Board of TEKNOFEST, examined the area planned for the implementation of the new project on site.

Previous science center project; It was implemented in cooperation with Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality, Ministry of Industry and Technology, TÜBİTAK, Eastern Black Sea Development Agency (DOKA) and T3 Foundation. Bayraktar’s ancestral land, Sürmene, was chosen as the new address.

In his statement regarding the visit, Sürmene Mayor Hüseyin Azizoğlu emphasized that the project is of great importance for young people. Azizoğlu said, “We were honored to host the precious children of the late Özdemir Bayraktar, the pioneer of the National Technology Move, the pride of our country, Mr. Selçuk Bayraktar, and our precious lady, Ms. Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar, in our district.

We examined our Science Center project, which we plan to bring to Sürmene, on site and held fruitful consultations on the content and vision of the project. “We continue to shape this important step together that will shed light on the future of our young people,” he said.

The new science center is aimed to bring together young people in the region with technology and science.

ASELSAN technicians Süleyman Cemre Kahraman and İsmail Enes Can, who were martyred in a helicopter crash during a training activity in Qatar, were sent off on their final journey with a ceremony held in Ankara. A ceremony was held for the martyrs at Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque following the noon prayer. Can was buried in Güdül district Salihler Village cemetery, and Kahraman was buried in Cebeci Martyrdom. The body of Major Sinan Taştekin will be buried in the Can Bulat Martyrdom after the afternoon prayer in Famagusta, Northern Cyprus today.

PARTICIPATION IN THE FUNERAL CEREMONY WAS INTENSE

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Minister of Commerce Ömer Bolat, Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu, Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Governor of Ankara Vasip Şahin and many citizens attended the funeral ceremony of the martyrs.

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN

President Erdoğan also shared a post after the accident and said, “I pray for God’s mercy on our heroic soldier who was martyred in this tragic accident, our ASELSAN personnel, our friend and brother Qatar soldiers, and I express my condolences to their families. My condolences to our country, our nation and the people of Qatar.” Minister Yaşar Güler shared a post with photos of the martyrs. Martyr İsmail Enes Can was buried in Güdül district Salihler Village Cemetery, and martyr Süleyman Cemre Kahraman was buried in Cebeci Martyrdom.

MAJOR TAŞTEKIN WILL BE BURIED IN FAMAGUSTA TODAY

Major Sinan Taştekin’s funeral will be held in Northern Cyprus today. It was learned that the martyr will be buried in Can Bulat Martyrdom in Famagusta, following the afternoon prayer.