In order to encourage and spread the foster care, a "Foster Family Day Introduction Program" has been organized by our Ministry at Beştepe Culture and Congress Center with the participation of Emine Erdoğan, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife, and Derya Yanık, our Minister.

In her speech at the program, First Lady Emine Erdoğan has said that they came together on the occasion of the declaration of 30 June as "Foster Family Day".

Pointing out that the Ministry of Family and Social Services has been carrying out meticulous activities for many years to make the foster care widespread, First Lady Erdoğan has stated that the concept of "foster family" was crowned with a special day and expressed her gratitude to those who contributed.

Expressing her pleasure at meeting with foster families, First Lady Erdoğan has added, “I would like to start my speech with the indescribable sadness I experience in these days when we hear the words 'child' and 'abuse' side by side. Each child abuse leaves irreparable wounds in our hearts. We have no tolerance for dirty hands directed at children. Let us never forget that as a society, we are responsible for all children. We can overcome these wounds with a common consciousness. I believe that those who commit these crimes will be severely punished. Our state is always with its children with all its means.”

“They get full service in every field”

Stating that children who have been estranged from their families for any reason, are cared in state institutions with all kinds of opportunities, First Lady Erdoğan has said that these children receive full service in all areas from education to psychological support, from activities such as sports and arts to employment.

Emphasizing that many people who have come to very good positions in the public and private sectors have grown up under the auspices of the state, and that role models have been raised for the society, whose names are mentioned with various successes from the arts to the world of sports, First Lady Erdoğan has said:

“The compassionate hand of our state has made these children the heroes of happy stories. How proud we are. Nevertheless, the growth of children in a family environment is our priority. That's why it's really important to expand the foster care system. In 2002, the number of foster families was 515. At the point we have reached today, 8.141 children live within 6.687 foster families. Even during a major disaster such as an epidemic, in the first half of this year, 536 of our children were placed within 437 families. Moreover, we also have children who have been entrusted to families who have immigrated due to war and conflict. Currently, 424 foreign children benefit from the foster care service model.”

"884 of our children with disabilities are within their foster families"

Stating that there are foster families in all provinces of Turkey, First Lady Erdoğan has said that foster families take care of children with disabilities as well.

Saying that "Our 884 children are living peacefully within their foster families.", First Lady Erdoğan has drawn attention to the fact that there are children with 100 per cent disabilities among these children.

First Lady Erdoğan has told foster families, "Please share the secrets of this magnanimity with us, because sharing experiences is a guide for everyone. It is an honor for people who tend to be kind to follow your footsteps."

Pointing out that the Ministry has created a project for the transfer of experience, Emine Erdoğan has continue as follows:

“With the Guide Foster Care practice, experienced families help families who have just joined the system. Therefore, I would like to say to those who want to be a foster family, you are not alone on your journey, our state is with you with its entire means. All expenditures from children's education expenses to care expenses, from course fees to service fees, are covered. Anyone who meets the requirements of our Ministry, whether married or single, can be a foster parent.”

"Let's work hard until every child has a family"

First Lady Erdoğan has pointed out the high number of foster families who have children. Emphasizing that being a foster family is not just about "eliminating longing for a child," First Lady Erdoğan has said that even people with grandchildren become foster families again.

Expressing that everyone is filled with the desire to change the world they live in from time to time and wants a fair and happy life to be the common denominator, First Lady Erdoğan has said, “Unfortunately, none of us can afford this alone. But there is something we can do. And that is to understand that every person is a world that we can change. When you reach out to a person, the whole story is rewritten. Hope replaces despair, trust replaces loneliness, smiles replace tears. At the darkest point, those who go to a child with their light illuminate that child's soul. Then you see that when that child grows up, she/he gives this gift that was given to her/him to others. Because who sees good does good. Therefore, let's work hard until every child has a family.”

“Every child should have a warm home”

Explaining that every wound in life, except one, forms a crust, First Lady Erdoğan has said, “The wounds we receive in childhood turn into fault lines in the depths of our souls. Therefore, it is our duty to give every child a healed childhood.”

Expressing the importance of childhood memories in adulthood, First Lady Erdoğan has added:

“We feed our souls with the joy of childhood days. Therefore, every child should have a warm home. They should hold a hand to kiss in the Bairam mornings. Today, 6.687 families are preparing a magnificent collection of memories for our children, whom they have opened their hearts to. May Allah bless you. Your presence is humanity's hope, our refuge. On behalf of humanity, I would like to express my endless gratitude to all our foster families.”

“So as children to live in a warm family”

Derya Yanık, Minister of Family and Social Services, has stated that she is honored to come together on the occasion of such a happy and proud day.

Yanık has thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, First Lady Emine Erdoğan, and everyone else who contributes to this day, which coincides with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Himaye-i Etfal (Turkish Association for Protection of Children), as the Foster Family Day, and has said she is grateful.

Emphasizing that there are many reasons to love children, Yanık has said, “For me, one of the reasons for loving and caring about children is their perception of equality.”

Underlining that this day is of great importance, Yanık has continued:

“This day is a day that has been announced and prepared for the future with confidence, respect, love and education, where all children, who do not have a family or who do not have the opportunity to live within their families, have the same equal conditions as their peers, can live in a warm family home.

Foster Family Day is a day that has been declared to be a day on the activities done so far in this field, to increase social awareness a little more, to bring it to the public a little more, and to explain how important, vital and human-related foster family practice is.”

“They put their foster children above their biological children”

Explaining that they have organized an event with foster fathers for Father's Day, Yanık has continued as follows:

“We have met with foster fathers online and I have listened to them for a long time. I realize that foster families put their foster children above their biological children, and their whole lives are built around those children. Some have become foster parents of more than one child. This is something tremendous. My feelings of appreciation are not enough for this, I congratulate each and every one of you. That is incredibly impressive, heart touching, and tears fill my eyes every time I listen to the story. I am very grateful to all of you. The fact that our first meeting under this roof is about children and foster families goes down in history as my luck while I bear this responsibility. I am also grateful for that.”

“I have two families and I am very happy”

In the program, 32-year-old Meral Altundaş, who was given to a foster family at the age of 9, has also talked about her process. Stating that she started working as a teacher in Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services in Kocaeli after graduating from university, Altundaş has said, “I have two families now and I am very happy.”

Betül Gümüş, the foster mother, has also explained that they have 2 children and that they are a foster family for a 2-year-old girl, whom she has expressed “I gave birth to her from my heart”.

Emine Erdoğan has also signed the special day envelope designed by the Ministry with the Minister Derya Yanık and prepared with the contributions of the PTT. Minister Yanık has presented Emine Erdoğan with the Himaye-i Etfal Medal in the program.

Music concert and exhibition

In the program where the artist Şükriye Tutkun, who grew up in the state protection house, has given a music concert, a short film about the developments in the field of child services and a foster family public spot have been broadcast.

Within the scope of the program, the exhibition titled "The Story of 100 Years from Himaye-i Etfal to Today" has also been visited by the participants.