Elder 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.