As a part of the “Reading to My Elders” project, our students gathered on March 7 with donors residing at the Yakacık Residence. Accompanied by Entrepreneurship Teacher Sibel Sunay, students read selected short stories by the legendary Turkish author Sait Faik Abasıyanık. This initiative utilized the unifying power of literature to strengthen intergenerational bonds, providing a meaningful experience for both students and residents.
Duru Deniz: “Spending time and conversing with our donors is truly wonderful.”
Duru Deniz E., a preparatory class student participating in the project for the third time this year, shared her reflections:
“This is my third visit, but I have participated in reading events here before. I love reading, and I read quite a lot. Here, my friends and I read Sait Faik Abasıyanık’s stories to our donors. Since he was one of our institution’s most esteemed donors, reading his works is particularly meaningful to me.”
Emphasizing the value of conversing with residents, Duru Deniz added, “Spending time and talking with our donors is a beautiful experience. Their conversations are delightful, and we get to hear stories filled with life experience. I feel incredibly happy every time I come here.”
Elif Belinay: “We learn so much from our donors.”
Another preparatory student, Elif Belinay D., learned about the project after her literature teacher introduced it to her, and she volunteered to meet our donors. Describing her visits to the residence as an exciting journey, she said:
“I was very excited during my first visit, and I still feel that same excitement today. It is such a pleasure to listen to the stories our donors share. Once, I read the story ‘Dolapdere’ to Ms. Birsen (Yakacık Residence donor Birsen Ulufer), and she described to me how Dolapdere used to be in real life. We are constantly learning new things from them. Beyond just spending time together, we gain so much from their memories and experiences.”
Teoman Akalın: “Seeing these young people and spending time with them makes one look to the future with greater hope.”
Teoman Akalın, a donor residing at our Yakacık Residence, shared that his introduction to the project began during the pandemic. Reflecting on his first experience, he noted:
“They invited me during the pandemic. Having lived in the United States for many years, they suggested that I could also speak English with the students. At that time, a student read Sait Faik’s stories to me online. Later, we wanted to meet in person and gathered at events in Maslak. That student is now studying third-year psychology at Sabancı University, and we are still in touch.”
Expressing the profound emotions stirred by having students read to them, Akalın continued:
“This activity takes me back in time. Seeing these young people and spending time with them truly allows one to look toward the future with more hope. Throughout my own education, I studied on scholarships for a total of 17 years, both in Türkiye and the United States. I can see how intelligent and successful these students are. Being able to support them brings me immense happiness.”
Fikret Tunalı: “We are reminded of our own youth.”
Fikret Tunalı, a resident of Yakacık Residence, expressed great joy in meeting with our students, sharing his reflections:
“We are reminded of our own youth. At the same time, being with these wonderful children makes us feel rejuvenated. Knowing that they will become successful individuals in the future brings us immense happiness.”
A retired visual arts teacher, Tunalı, noted that he finds Darüşşafaka students remarkably successful and closely follows their achievements across various fields. Reflecting on his own student years, Tunalı mentioned that while educational opportunities were not as extensive in the past, he also received a boarding school education. Attributing this opportunity to Atatürk’s vision, Tunalı expressed great pride in seeing Darüşşafaka continue its work with the same awareness and sense of responsibility.