Join us in Turkiye for an incredible life-changing experience! 

Türkiye is located between Europe and Asia and is known for its rich history and tourist attractions. To name a few, Türkiye is known for the Hagia Sophia, New Mosque, Blue Mosque, and the Bosporus Bridge, which provides a connection between Asia and Europe, among many other well-known landmarks. While Türkiye is actively working on improving conditions for its people, it is also known for its large refugee population.

Turkiye hosts the largest number of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. There are roughly four million refugees in Türkiye, with over 3.7 million of them having fled from Syria. Islamic Relief has been present in Türkiye since the 2000s in support of vulnerable communities and works on providing aid to local populations in need, as well as to refugees.

Islamic Relief Canada supports hundreds of orphans through the Orphan Sponsorship Program. We implement activities aimed at maintaining and improving the mental and emotional well-being of the rights holders who face trauma. Islamic Relief Canada programming in Turkiye is directed towards Syrians, Uyghurs, and Turkish rights holders.

Since 2019, Inspire has held 5 field studies in Türkiye, running 5 summer camps with orphans. Check out previous volunteer experiences! 

Volunteers will assist in a summer camp affiliated with the ongoing orphans’ program to facilitate learning and psychosocial programming. Psychosocial programming is crucial for orphans and vulnerable children as it provides a structured framework for emotional support and mental well-being, helping them navigate the challenges of loss, trauma, and instability. 

By addressing psychological and social needs, such programming fosters resilience, emotional growth, and a sense of belonging, essential for their overall development and integration into society. 

This is carried out through a variety of activities, such as:

1. Team building activities and games

2. Educational activities to foster their creativity and develop 21st-century skills in a fun and engaging environment.

3. Educational visits and excursions with students to explore the local community and

4. Sports and Fun learning activities of various types and aims.

Volunteers will also pack and distribute food items and hygiene boxes to refugee families and gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by the refugee communities.

Furthermore, volunteers will have the opportunity to:

1. Visit local Islamic Relief projects and interact with rights-holders to hear their stories. 

2. Take part in organized sightseeing activities, including visits to the Panorama 1453 Museum, Princess Islands, and other monuments in Istanbul.

All accepted applicants are required to raise a minimum of CAD 3,500 each one month prior to their departure date. All the funds raised will go towards Islamic Relief projects in Türkiye. We will provide each volunteer with a fundraising session that includes tips on how to fundraise, how to engage your network, etc. We will also set up an online fundraising page for each volunteer to raise funds for their project.  

Donations will be allocated towards the Inspire program components and contribute to ongoing, long-term projects in the region. None of the donations will go towards the personal costs of the volunteers.

The Inspire program aims to provide volunteers with a unique and eye-opening experience, where they immerse themselves in a completely different context than they are normally accustomed to. This program encompasses the “give and take” principle; it is an opportunity to give back to vulnerable communities overseas whilst learning and growing skills in an enriching environment. After completing the program, letters of reference will be given out to participants upon request. Participants will also be encouraged to continue volunteering with Islamic Relief Canada following the trip to continue their humanitarian efforts.

Islamic Relief Canada will cover your stay in Turkiye, including your accommodation, transportation within the country, food, and scheduled sightseeing activities. Please note that flights are NOT covered, thus the volunteer is responsible for purchasing their flights to and from Turkiye, as well as purchasing mandatory health insurance. 

Once accepted into the program, volunteers are required to complete a combination of mandatory virtual and online training sessions. There will be about 3-4 sessions in total, with an average duration of 2 hours each. The training will cover Fundraising, Team Building, Country Profile, Islamic Relief's History, Field Safety and security, Activity Planning, Humanitarian Standards, and Passion Projects. The schedule will be released upon being accepted into the program. These training sessions are mandatory to attend.