Promoting new solutions for children
Hayat Sende strives to reduce the exclusion of children from mainstream society, which is the most common problem for children who leave institutional care in Turkey.
Founded by young professionals who were brought up in care themselves, Hayat Sende identifies and promotes new innovative solutions for children under the legal care of the government.
- Over 1 million boys and girls live in single parent households or are separated from both parents in Turkey
- The majority of the 17,100 children in state care are there due to economic insecurity within the family
- Currently 5,002 children live with a foster family
- Adoption numbers in Turkey fluctuate between 450 and 600 per year
Approach
A rights based organisation, Hayat Sende uses the power of activism to create change and focuses on reducing the stigma and discrimination experienced by children who are in or leave care and on improving state solutions for children without adequate care.
They work with research, advocacy and campaigns in collaboration with government departments and other Turkish NGOs and promote information on children’s rights and child protection. Hayat Sende also runs week long mentoring camps for children coming out of care to develop their social skills and they provide the children with online mentoring and assistance. In this way, children are empowered to stand up for their rights.
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