Renewal of a School

 

Friday Nov. 30 we got the treat of our lives.  On our way home from the closing of a project at Imrahor Primary School, we said if we were to go home that day we would felt well rewarded for having gone on a great mission.

August 2012, soon after arriving in Turkey, we visited a small community, Imrahor, Ankara, Turkey, to talk to Hatice Altundag, the Head Schoolmaster about some needs for the school.  It was a very poor section of town and the government had donated the school district an old delapidated building which had formerly been a factory or business of some kind years ago.  The government provided the building but no money to renovate.  The parents have not, in the past, seen a real need for their children to be educated; they would just as soon have the children working to help meet financial needs.

In the school building there were four classrooms for grades Kindergarten through grade 8.  A schedule was worked out that half the students attend in the morning, and the other half in the afternoon to accomodate everyone. 

Hatice was brought in from another school district because she was extremely ambitious and on-the-ball. She began working very hard not only to renovate the building - with donations only, but educate the parents as well as to the importance of gaining an education.

The humanitarian couple we replaced, through the Church, provided new desks for some of the classrooms and some storage closets.  The Headmaster began showing local businesses what the Church - from another country -  had done for them, and asked if they could do something to help also.  Soon there were contractors donating their time and materials, and other businesses following suite: blinds for the windows, paint and wall paper for the walls, new doors, new awning for the entryway, new floors, and basketball standards for the play ground. 

 When we became involved, Hatice was asking for more desks, dry erase boards, library facilities and science equipment.   The Church was able to suppy 80 more desks and dry erase boards for four class.  We told her we would go to work and try our very best to see what we could do.  In our conversation with Hatice, Elder Edwards asked her what they would be able to do in return to show their gratitude. She said they would put on a program for us. 

 

 

For this project the Church donated desks and chairs for both students and teachers and dry erase boards for the classrooms.  From that time, until we returned on Nov. 30, 2012 they worked very hard to fix up the building and decorate it for a condusive learning enviornment for the children.  The end result had a 'woman's touch'.  For instance, the new desks had bright orange legs.  The shades in the rooms were bright orange as well.  Everything had been painted and was beautiful and clean and in good repair.  We were very impressed.  Hatice is standing in the background against the wall.

 

The program they had prepared was outstanding.  The children won our hearts over as they performed with speaking parts (we didn't understand a word, but still enjoyed it!) and then they presented us each with a bouquet of flowers.  Elder Edwards gave a short speech - in Turkish.  Everyone clapped as he finished, so we choose to believe he was understood.  In attendance were many officials.  Also, everyone who had donated and contributed in any way was invited.  We were also fed a delicious meal.

School District Khadija Altindag; Cankaya Municipality and donors.  

The Cankaya District Governor, Mehmet Ali Yildrim, is in the bright blue tie, and other dignitaries and donators are pictured:  National Education Manager Julak Saydan, Deputy Major Mr. Grant, Director of Scientific Affairs Bozdoyan Ozkan, Building Art Dirctor Ahmet Sahin, National Education Branch Manager Adam Alkin Aytek.  Donors, Wayne and Jean Edwards, Representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Cankaya school principals, teachers, parents, and students.  (We are standing under the new awning of the school.)

Seda (our interpreator and nanny) and Sister Edwards

On Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, we closed a project in the town of Sariyar, Turkey.  The project was a portable hand-held ultra sound machine donated by the Church to a young medical doctor who travels to several small towns.  Because it is difficult for the people to travel to the doctor in the main town, he visits them in their town once a week and can take this machine with him to detect potential health problems;  it's main purpose is for expectant mothers and their babies.

The doctor is preparing to demonstrate the ultra sound machine on Elder Edwards. 
We are happy to announce Elder Edwards is not expecting... any health problems.

When we first arrived in Sariyar, we met with the mayor of the town, Halil Unsal, and had a nice visit with him. He gave us some gifts, one of which was a DVD about their town.  He was very enthusiastic and proud of his small town, giving us extensive information about the citizens' accomplishments and challenges.  Agriculture and fishing are the main occupations.  In recent years, 650 fishmen made their living fishing, but now, because the lake has been over-fished, only 50 fisherman remain.  The population has dropped off dramitically and the people struggle with challenges living off the land and lake brings.  We were later taken on a short tour of the surrounding areas and this is a picture of the lake where fishing is done.



Sister Edwards, Elder Edwards and mayor, Halil Unsal.
The depth of the lake is approximately 300 feet.

 

We were surprised to be shown this enormous dam, the Sariyar Dam, not too
far from the town.There are three dams located along the Sakarya River which
runs into the Black Sea. This dam was compeleted in 1956 and the total power
output from the hydroelectric facility is 160 (four facilities of 40 MW each.)
(Don't I sound smart?  I got this information from the Internet.)

 

The mayor is showing us plans for a park for his town.  This
project is being funded by another town for them.  It was to
be started the following week and completed next spring.

Elder Edwards, Sister Edwards, Seda (interpreter) and the mayor
standing in front of the monument of Ataturk in the town square.
To the right there was a line of stores; only one open for business.

 

A former high school converted into the hospital. 
Because of the declining population, the high school
students are now bused to a larger town.  The doctor
uses this facility for his weekly visit.

 

We enjoyed this trip very much.  There were many things about the region that reminded us of our hometown of Delta, Utah.  Delta had many small farming towns surrounding it and the high school students were bused into our town.  The area reminded us of the landscape around Delta and onto Leamington and Nephi.  The lake reminded us of the Delta Resevior.  We also a doctor (actually there were two doctors in Delta) who served many small towns.   We hope to return for another visit before our time is completed here.

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012 we traveled to a little Turkish village, Yozgat Province, with the Country Director from Istanbul, Turkey to close out two water projects.  Water projects are large projects and are one of the Church's Major Initiatives.  Smaller projects are called Area Initiatives and are usually carried out locally.  The Country Director is in charge of the larger projects, so we just tagged along to mainly see how a closing ceremony was done.

We were able to have a true Turkish village experience as we drove far from the city and into the mountains where the small villages are located. 

The village people are required to do as much labor as they can on these projects, so they will have an interest in what is being done for them.  It is more likely the facility will be maintained in years to come if they have shared in the labor.  They usually dig the trenches and lay the pipe, along with any other tasks they can accomplish.  After everything is completed, and both parties are satisfied, the project is closed and a ceremony held.

This plaque is presented to the the people with the Church's name on it,
and is to be hung on the facility showing the Church as a doner.
The Country Directors, the Canfields, are in the middle
 and the mayor is accepting the plaque.

 

Water projects usually have either an existing holding tank, or a new one is constructed if need be.  Miles of pipe are layed bringing water down the mountains from the springs to the holding tank, and then to the village.

 

 

 This is a picture of the holding tank of the first water project we visited.

The Church's doner plaque hangs above the door.

 

This is the second water project holding tank.

 

This stairway without handrails was scary walking up.
 The bottom 'stairs' were even more adventuresome.
Do you think they would pass OSHA?

Once in the building, there was a narrow walkway and drop offs on either side.
Do you ever wonder how you came to be in certain situations?

Back in the village, this is a picture of the villagers cooking jam.
No stove to clean up afterwards!

We couldn't guess why or how this cow manure
came to be on this rock wall.  Any guesses?

 

 

We were invited to the mayor's home for dinner on our way home.

This is a picture of the mayor and his wife on the left,

and another couple who were there.

 

 

A new experience for us, eating on the floor. The food was very delicious!

They were very gracious and wonderful hostesses.

 

 

This couch is the typical Turkish furniture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uygur Blind School

Sept. 24, 2012, Monday, was the closing date of the project at Uygur Blind School.  We visited the school to see how the computers, tables and chairs were working for the students attending the school.  We were greeted by Dr. Yusuf Sayadan, (who is also blind), the director of the school, and his daughter.  (Also pictured is our translator, Seda, and a man who wanted to have his picture taken.)  After a brief visit, we were taken on a tour of the classrooms where the computers, tables and chairs, provided by the church, were seen in use. 



The tables were custom-made for each room, to utilize the size and shape of the classroom area available.  The personnel called our attention to the quality of the chairs, and it was apparent how very pleased and grateful they were for them.

 

 

We also visited classrooms where the students were being instructed on four computers provided by the church.  These students were typing with special computer software for the blind where they would type a letter and a voice would make the sound of the letter they typed (and if they typed the wrong letter, it would let them know that also!)  It was remarkable how quickly some of the students were working.

 

Students attend this school for several purposes:

·         Preparing for university entrance exams

·         Sports participation

·         PC (Personal Computer) training

·         High School training for grades 9 to 12

·         English language instruction

This is a picture of a young man (and his very devoted and proud mother) who recently passed a university eterance exam.  He also plays 20 musical instruments and promised to invite us to his musical concert in the spring.

 

As mentioned, some students are enrolled to participate in sports.  This young lady (with impaired sight) has earned the title as world weight lifting champion.  She works in the administrative office.  I couldn’t resist having my picture taken with her.

 

 

Here we are being shown the trophies recently awarded when they were the victors in football tournament played at Adana, Turkey.  Notice three additional trophies in the background.  They will be participating again in the spring.

 

Elder Edwards is holding a Turkish football.   As the participants in the game are blind, this football has several bells in it to let players know where the ball is.  I was surprised how heavy or weighted the ball felt.  

 

Below are pictured three different kinds of balls.  They all have

bells in them and the red and white ball is the Turkish football,

not the blue one.

 

 

 

We were shown their championship game on one of the new PCs the church provided for them. 

 

 

All the trainers and other help are volunteers.  The government pays the students 20 TL per day, plus minimum medical insurance while they attend school.  The school has been given some new facilities so that the enrollment of the school can expand.  They are very excited about this.  There have many more students who would like to attend and they want to accommodate all who would like to enroll.  Their goal is not to turn anyone away from the school who applies for entrance.

The staff and students appreciated what the church had provided for their school.  This was our second visit to this school, and it has been a wonderful experience each time.  We hope we will see them again.

September 12 - 15, 2012, we were able to fly to Kyiv, Ukraine to attend a Humanitarian Missionary Couple Conference.  Couples serving in Belarus, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey were in attendance.  We received valuable instruction from our Priesthood Brethren and were reminded that these humanitarian projects are not our projects, but the Lord's.  The funds are not our funds, but sacred funds given at a sacrifice of church members and to be used with inspiriation and great care. 

Couples standing in front of the Kyiv, Ukraine Temple

The crowning point of the conference was the opportunity to go the Kyiv, Ukraine temple.  It was wonderful to be able to see a temple again, and more wonderful to go inside and attend a session.  Immediately following the temple session, we had a testimony meeting at the Stake Center on the grounds.  Here we were spiritually fed, and after we were physically fed with a delicious luncheon.  (First things first.)

Testimony meeting

After the luncheon we were taken by bus on a tour of the city.  Kyiv is a beautiful, and the weather was clear and warm, allowing us afterwards to walk up and down the streets and see the architecture of the buildings and the people. 

As each of the missionary couples are serving by themselves in their respective cities, it was a special opportunity to be together and share experiences and ideas with one another.  These couples are very dedicated to this work, and we felt it a wonderful opportunity to be able to be with them and glean from them their wisdom and experience.




Jean had the opportunity to be a part of a special
musical number at the Conference.

Art display along the street

 

Russian Orthodox Church

 

Downtown Kyiv, Ukraine. 
I loved the benches, trees and wide sidewalks.
At the end of this street, at the intersection, huge outdoor concerts are held. 
Elton John gave a concert there and
Madonna came to give a one but didn't show up!

At our hotel.  This is a waterfall, of sorts, behind us.


 

 



An old building in Beyparazi

We visited the town of Beyparazi September 5, 2012 to discuss a possible project with the mayor and his wife. (Beyparazi is part of the city of Ankara; a district.) Their plan is to help disabled women in their community to learn the skill of sewing and tole painting. A group of ten women will be trained for three months, and then a new group will follow. The municipality will help them find work upon completion of their training course; most likely they will be able to sell the products they make in a little shop in town.   Trainers will be both paid employees and volunteers.  These people are asking the church to supply two sewing machines, a serger and tables and chairs for the project.



This room is the future shop for training of disabled women. 
It had just been painted.

 The next step of the project, after having visited with them, is to receive a request letter from them, telling us  what they would like us to supply. Seda, our translator will translate the letter into English and from there it is our job to submit the project to Moscow for approval. If and when it is approved, we order the materials, have them delivered, visit this place once again to make sure everything is going well and have a closing ceremony, which is the best part.  We love to be with the recipients and share in their excitement and anticipation for the future.

We thought this would be the extent of our visit in Beypazari, but the mayor's wife, her secretary and the mayor's secretary took us on a tour of the town, to lunch, to two museums (one a living museum and the other a former Turkish bath house), shopping in quaint little shops and to the bazar where produce from their farms and other goods are sold, which lined the streets.  How did Wayne hold up tagging along with five women?  He did very well - not one complaint.  Oh, we also enjoyed a tea party (with juice). 

This is our tea party.  See the smile on Wayne's face. 
I think he was happy he wasn't footing the bill.
The mayor's wife is on the left; a very lovely lady,
so gracious and good to us all afternoon.
 

Our camera was clicking away the entire day.  I think we took 150 pictures, which I wish I could include them all.  I wish I were computer savvy enough to know how to wrap them all up in a file so you could see them.  As for now, I will include a few of my favorites.

My favorite thing we saw was a loom in one of the shops where the shop owner was making fabric.  He demonstrated running the loom for us and it reminded us of someone playing the organ with both hands and feet going all at the same time.  I've always wanted a loom and this was so fun watching him!!

The shop owner is showing us a piece of fabric he made. 
The loom is in the back, with all the strings running vertical.

He is demonstrating how the loom works. 
I had to restrain myself from sliding him over and trying it.

 

His feet are pumping the blocks of wood making the loom run.
 

This girl was our tour guide in one of the museums.  Isn't she cute?

Breads and pasta being sold at the bazar.

Rug on the stairway in the museum.

Turkish bath house (which is a museum now).

Seda shows a sewing machine in the museum.

 

Silver shoes!  How is that for comfort.

 

The scenery between Ankara and Beypazari reminded
us of Utah and made us a bit homesick.

The place we had lunch.  It was tucked up on the side of a hill.

Rooms in the museum.  On the left is the bride's chamber.