Laura Prusoff, an American Culinary photographer, a resident of Cappadocia, did not want to turn her back on the Syrian refugees living in her adopted city. Coming from a line of Russian and German refugees herself, she wanted to do something. At first, she had some setbacks. Yet, Laura was determined to lead change and to provide new opportunities to the community in Ortahisar, Cappadocia.
She rolled up her sleeves and financed the opening of a Community Center. Different projects such as aid assistance, psychosocial support programs, Food Diplomacy, Syrian School Project were launched under her newly established non-profit organization, Helping Hands Turkey. She along with her team brought together 100 Syrian and Turkish children together to build puppets, write and create their own stories and perform in front of a diverse audience, which was very well received in the community. They had Turkish and Syrian women collaborating to showcase traditional dishes as part of the famous CAPPADOX Festival. They also offer art therapy workshops at the center, helping children build character and self-esteem. All of these efforts are part of a larger effort to build a community where there is acceptance, respect for one another and appreciation of differences and similarities.
After being introduced, TPF has become a vehicle for her to do her personal philanthropy.
After being introduced, TPF has become a vehicle for her to do her personal philanthropy. It was the transparency, trustworthiness and community of philanthropists like herself that attracted her to TPF because she knew with a right platform like TPF; her goal of helping refugees would come true.
Laura has now become part of our community.
