Last year, the Friends of Waldorf Education were able to set up a Child Friendly Space in Hatay, which is managed by two local kindergarten teachers. The Child Friendly Space is located in a rural village and is accessible for children from various nearby camps.

In addition, we frequently offer introductory seminars for local educators so that the work can be continued by them in the long term. In mid-June 2024, a two-day seminar for educators in the Hatay region was offered under the direction of a Turkish colleague. The seminar included both theoretical  seminars, focusing on childhood development, trauma, and self-care, and practical activities such as crafts and music. Swiss emergency pedagogue Alfred Rahmen also participated as a lecturer. He reported about the seminar: "For me, those were two good days spent with friends and kind and interested participants. By the way, I have the impression that the work of the two kindergarten teachers there and the seminars will lead to beautiful further developments."

Since the need for both emergency and trauma pedagogical support for children and for further seminars and training is very high, we are currently planning a longer project to continue supporting people in processing their traumatic experiences and to build capacities in the long term.

In good cooperation with Eğitim Sanatı Dostları Derneği (Friends of Waldorf Education in Türkiye) and financed by funds from Aktion Deutschland Hilft, we look forward to further work in Türkiye.

Lina Fée Bäuerle