Childcare and Development
On February 6th, 2023, a devastating earthquake struck 11 cities in Turkey, causing immense casualties and affecting millions, including countless children. The affected regions continue to face severe infrastructure challenges, with many locals still struggling to meet their basic needs.
This program operates in Skill and Talent Development Centers located in container cities within two of the hardest-hit areas in southeast Turkey: Hatay and Adiyaman. These child-friendly centers provide children aged 7 to 13—many of whom attend schools through a transported education system and lack equal opportunities—a safe space to access regular physical, social, and psychosocial activities.
In addition to offering ongoing psychosocial support to children impacted by the disaster, the centers play a vital role in preventing the loss of physical and social skills through creative drama, sports, invention, art, and agriculture workshops.
Volunteers passionate about supporting disadvantaged children through skill development are encouraged to join this program. Volunteers will lead after-school workshops designed to nurture children’s abilities while creating a secure, supportive environment. Here, children gain essential tools to solve problems, express themselves, build self-confidence, and learn collaboratively.
Goals of this Project:
- Empower children affected by the earthquake and create an enabling environment for them to strengthen their skills.
- Provide much needed assistance to communities struggling to adapt their new normal.
- Improve the future prospects of children through education.
- Expose non-English speakers to native English speakers in order to improve their language skills.
- Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both locals and international volunteers.
How You Can Help
The main goal of this program is to help children discover and develop their skills and abilities, while enhancing their creativity and broadening their horizons. This is achieved through after-school workshops focused on activities like painting, sports, music, creative drama, invention, and agriculture. The program also provides essential ongoing psychosocial support, fostering the physical and mental growth of children into confident, responsible, and happy individuals.
For volunteers with a positive, can-do attitude and a willingness to take initiative, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect with and inspire children.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Provide humanitarian services.
- Assisting with skill development and educational activities through creative workshops.
- Monitor children in their Daily lives, providing feedback to the program.
- Spend time with children affected by the earthquake, showing friendship and compassion.
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all individuals aged 18 and over who want to help build a brighter future for people living in marginalized communities across Turkey.
This project is especially suited for those pursuing careers in anthropology, social work, social entrepreneurship, or economics. However, volunteers with a passion for meaningful, varied experiences are also warmly encouraged to apply. We tailor individual projects to match each volunteer’s unique skills and interests, ensuring everyone can make a valuable contribution.
Please note that all volunteers must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to joining the program.
Above all, we seek applicants with a genuine desire to help, strong initiative, and a positive, can-do attitude. If this sounds like you, we’d love to have you on our team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
- Vaccination Certificate
Project Location
This program operates in the two cities most impacted by the earthquake: Hatay and Adiyaman. Volunteers are based at Skill Development Centers located within the container cities where displaced families and children have been living since the disaster.
Programs in Adiyaman are currently unavailable.
Start Dates & Duration
| « | June 2025 | » | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
This project is available year-round with arrivals every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 1 week to 3 weeks. Longer stays on a single project cannot be accommodated.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Please note, the local team would love to welcome you in Hatay, however the programs in Adiyaman are not currently available.
Volunteers arrive at either Sabiha Gökçen Airport or Istanbul International Airport before taking a connecting flight to Hatay Airport or Adiyaman Airport, depending on your chosen program location.
We recommend arranging an airport shuttle or taxi transfer to your accommodation (please note this is not included in the program fees).
On your first day, the local team will provide an orientation to help you settle in, introduce your volunteering placement, and familiarize you with the local area. During this session, a representative will cover regional customs, travel tips, rules, and what to expect throughout your volunteering experience. It’s also a perfect opportunity to meet your hosts and any fellow volunteers and to ask any final questions before you begin.
- Arrival Day: SUNDAY
- Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Hatay Airport (code HTY) OR Adiyaman Airport (code ADY) OR Connecting flights from Istanbul Airport (code IST)
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers in Hatay and Adiyaman are responsible for arranging their own accommodation, meals, and airport transfers.
We recommend staying at the Park Dedeman Adiyaman Hotel in Adiyaman and the Waxwing Hotel in Hatay, both of which are certified earthquake-safe.
Fees
That’s just USD 64 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.