Winners of the "Competing in Goodness" Project Experience Foundation Civilization Firsthand

Students who reached the finals of the "Competing in Goodness" project, implemented for the first time this year in collaboration with the Cyprus Evkaf Administration and the Education Attaché Office of the Turkish Republic's Lefkoşa Embassy, ​​had the opportunity to closely experience the traces of foundation civilization during a trip to Istanbul and Bursa, which was organized as a prize.

The project, carried out within the scope of the Cyprus Evkaf Administration's anniversary events, aimed to strengthen the awareness of mutual assistance, volunteerism, solidarity, and social responsibility among young people.

Students from Hala Sultan Theology College, selected as the pilot school this year, qualified for the finals of the competition by carrying out various socially beneficial tasks for approximately one month.

Throughout the process, students carried out environmental cleanup activities, visited martyrs' cemeteries and graves, and participated in social responsibility activities by visiting nursing homes and patients. Activities themed around animal love and social awareness were also among the important aspects of the competition.

The cultural tour program prepared for the students who won prizes in the competition was combined with the "Imagine, Discover, Donate" program of the General Directorate of Foundations of the Republic of Turkey. Within this framework, 26 students from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus were hosted in Istanbul and Bursa by the General Directorate of Foundations of the Republic of Turkey.

Throughout the program, the students visited historical foundation works and had the opportunity to observe firsthand the reflections of foundation culture in social life.

At an information program held at Bezmialem Foundation University Faculty of Medicine, students were informed about educational opportunities, and it was shared that a special scholarship opportunity would be provided for "Goodwill Volunteers" applying from Northern Cyprus.

As part of the tour, students visited Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation University, Mihrişah Valide Sultan Imaret, various museums, and the Charity Bazaar where social aid activities are carried out. The students also had the opportunity to closely examine numerous historical foundation works, including the Sultanahmet Mosque, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, and Yıldız Hamidiye Mosque.

During their visit to the Charity Bazaar, the young people directly participated in solidarity efforts by shopping alongside children in need. They also observed the food distribution processes for families in need, thus supporting volunteer activities.

Through these field visits, the students experienced firsthand the culture of sharing and social benefit, which is fundamental to the concept of charitable foundations.

In the closing part of the program, the students met with officials from the General Directorate of Foundations of the Republic of Turkey. Deputy Director Suat Faruk Giray of the General Directorate of Foundations expressed his pleasure in hosting the young people from Northern Cyprus and stated that the cooperation with the Cyprus Evkaf Administration would continue to strengthen.

Giray also emphasized the great social value of young people engaging in volunteer-based work and congratulated the Cyprus Evkaf Administration and the Evkaf Charity Volunteers Team for their contributions to the project.

Officials from the Cyprus Evkaf Administration stated that the charitable work developed by young people gives hope for the future, and that projects aimed at passing on the culture of foundations to new generations will continue in the future.