Meet CYDD scholarship recipients
Nesrin, Medical Student
Nesrin gives her full energy and commitment to everything she does. From playing volleyball on her school team since 2nd grade to writing and performing in a theater piece in high school, exploring, learning, and doing her best have always been part of who she is.
Her decision to study medicine, however, comes from a deeper place. Showing up for others has always been central to her life. In her hometown of Adana, she supported a wheelchair campaign by collecting bottle caps and helped mobilize her community after a wildfire. She continues to do this alongside her studies, passionately. With your support, she’s able to focus on her studies while continuing to care for others.
Evin, English Teacher Major
Inspired by her English teacher’s kindness and curiosity, Evin is now studying to become a teacher at Çukurova University. But the path to get here wasn’t easy. After the February 6 earthquakes, her world was turned upside down, and her family moved in with relatives in another city. Despite the challenges, they eventually returned to their damaged home in İskenderun.
Through it all, Evin pushed past her own expectations and made it to college. Today, she looks only ahead, focused on building a life where she can offer the same support and inspiration she once received.
Bilgün, Engineering Major
For Bilgün, creating is what sparks her curiosity whether through music, art, or robotics. For her, it’s all connected, and she thrives when she can bring ideas to life.
Now in college, the engineering program is her happy place, where she is building her technical skills. Looking ahead, Bilgün hopes to use these skills to make a difference in communities, driven by her passion for volunteering.
Asya, High school student
For Asya, resilience has been a part of life from an early age. Raised by her mother as the youngest of three, she learned to stay strong through challenges.
At just seven years old, she was diagnosed with kidney cancer. After months of chemotherapy and surgery, she recovered. Just as life was returning to normal, the earthquake changed everything. Their home was severely damaged, and her family was displaced.
Despite all these obstacles, Asya never gave up on her education. She is determined to follow in her brothers’ footsteps and go to college. The scholarship she receives is more than financial support—it is her motivation, her confidence, and a source of pride.