Halk Bank Pozcu Branch - Mersin, Account Number: 160 00004

• Foundation's Mission

Our Branch was established on September 10, 1989, under the leadership Çiğdem İşmen and with support from the Customs and Protection Director, the National Education Director, the Offices of the Jendarme Forces Brigade Commander, of the Mediterranean Forces Regional Commander, and the Governor of Mersin; we started our education services with 35 children, in a two-room building located in the Salim Güven Elementary School yard. In 1997, with the help of the Governor of Mersin, we were able to expand the physical capabilities of our Branch by leasing the two-story building, with its own yard, for a period of 29 years, where we currently continue our services. All the members of our administrative staff are volunteers, continuing their service with dedication since 1994. We are proud of making the participation of all our children within the society possible, until this date.

On January 22, 2001, we have been recognized worthy of receiving the Service Award of the Year given by the Civil Society Organizations of the Province of İçel; we experienced the pride of receiving this high honor together with all our children. We have been organizing panels, while cooperating with the University of Mersin, for a long time, to inform and educate the families of the handicapped children and the public of Mersin and its vicinity on disabilities and handicaps.

The staff members in our Branch are the following:

• 4 Special Education - Classroom Teachers,
• 2 Volunteer Psychologists,
• 1 Service Personnel.

Our groups are formed by bringing together students who show similarities according to their varying developmental levels and characteristics. Our special education teachers, who are experts in their specific areas, serve in these groups.

Reading and writing is taught in separate classes where students are grouped according to their mental development levels and progress.

We consider handcrafts and skills development to be of great significance in learning. The work and crafts skills our students are able to achieve are determined with the evaluations and support by our teachers, to be applied in our education service efforts.

Our Foundation Branch organizes and conducts panels, working together with Mersin University, with the objective of providing all the necessary information for the families.

In addition to these, we also hold further meetings, with cooperation and coordination between our Mersin Branch Administration, the families, and the instructors, to reduce the special problems of the handicapped children to a minimum.

We organize discussions and special programs to be broadcast by the T.R.T. Radio, aimed towards the communication of information and guidance for the families and the public.

Since the beginning of our establishment, we have gained recognition and respect as a serious and dedicated Foundation in Mersin.

Our Foundation Branch has reached this point of success in our activities with the much dedicated work of our volunteers.

As far as the members of the public in Mersin show their support and help, we will continue with our service free of charge for all who participate in the programs that we organize and in our education efforts.

With the belief and hope that their dedication and support will continue, we would like to express our thanks and deep gratitude to:

All our Governors who have served between the years 1989 and 2006,

To honorable Şenal Engin, the Mediterranean Military Regional Commanders and their wives, General Tanzan and Mrs. Tanzan, Erol Adayener and Mrs. Adayener, Lütfü Sancar and Mrs. Sancar, Prof. Dr. Esat Yılgör, Dean of the School of Medicine of Mersin University,

To Customs General Director Yüksel Elban, Customs Protection Director Mesfur Başaran ve Mrs. Başaran,

To the Atakal Group of Companies, the Turkom A.Ş. Company, the honorable Kadızade Family, the Hako A.Ş. Company, the Aktuğ A.Ş. Company, Mersin Rotary Group, the honorable Sabah Family, the Mediterranean Municipality, the Toroslar Municipality, and to the innumerable philanthropist citizens of Mersin we can not mention one by one here, for their encouragement, support, and help.

• Photo Album