The Ministry of Education started special classes for handicapped children who can be taught, within Elementary Education Schools, for the first time in the early 1960s in Turkey. 517 special education classes had reached a capacity to educate 685 such students by 1985. In those years, those below a 50 IQ level were excluded since this level was considered then to be a medical problem. Educational methods for severely disabled children were not developed and educational institutions were not yet established in Turkey in those years.

Education for children who are below the 50 IQ level, and can be taught, was started for the first time by the Organization for the Protection of Children Who Can Be Taught, under the leadership of Makbule Ölçen. In 1970, Makbule Ölçen started her training program with four of her special students, in a room of the leased Institution building on Saglik Street in Ankara. This effort aimed at proving that teachable children with below 50 IQ could receive training and learn to be brought up to a self-sufficient level. Such education of 5-10 year old children who can be taught showed its very positive results within a short time. Demand from families increased and the education capacity of the Institution rapidly grew.

The building on Saglik Street became insufficient within a short time and the Organization was moved into a larger building at Bahcelievler. In 1975, an old building in Etlik was purchased and restored, therefore an increase in the education capacity could be achieved within a short time.

In 1982, a neighboring building with similar qualities was purchased and the activities expanded to include self-care for children who can be taught over 16 years of age, entering youth. Starting with the principle that the earlier education and training can be started, the more effective they will be, this service was reorganized to begin with the 3 year age group. 152 students in 16 classes were receiving training service at the Institution’s school by 1985.

The inclusion of handicapped children who can be taught into its education program by the Ministry of Education, in 1985, became an important step forward to help the State and volunteer service organizations in expanding their interest in this area.

The training of mentally handicapped children then continued until age 18; afterwards they were sent home, and problems within the families and in their communities started again. The families whose children had received education and training developed worries about the future of their children; the question, “What will happen after we are gone?” was heard once too often. Also, as education and training by the Organization was successfully continuing in Ankara, families with disabled children all around the country continued to live with their sorrow. To find solutions to these problems and to fan out service to a wider area, work was started towards establishing a foundation.

The Foundation for the Protection and Education of Mentally Handicapped Children was started by a group of volunteers under the leadership of Makbule Ölçen, on March 8, 1982, in Ankara. (See: Founders) It was officially recognized as a non-profit organization in service of the public, with tax-exempt status, by the Council of Ministers, at Meeting #19386, dated February 28, 1987.

Neither the Executive board members of the Foundation nor those who serve on the Advisory and Auditory Boards receive any payment for their services. Voluntarism and personal dedication are the accepted key principles.

In accordance with the aims stated in the Foundation Charter (See: Aims), the Foundation volunteers started their hard work to purchase 35 acres of land in the Gölbasi County of Ankara from the State for a nominal cost in 1983. The new complex consisted of an administrative building, an education building, and a dormitory building, for 30 day students and 10 dormers. It was financed by a donation from the German Embassy in Ankara and opened in 1990. The training and rehabilitation systems applied here were designed to serve as examples for future branches and other similar institutions.

The second training structure on our site was built by Cevdet Kösemen, the late businessman and philanthropist. The carpentry workshop, developed as an exemplary professional rehabilitation and protective workplace, as well as a second dormitory building, were realized with donations and fund-raising efforts. Expenses for furnishing the workshop were, once again, met by the German Embassy. After the second dormitory building was completed the dormers were all moved to this section and, due to space constraints, the first dormitory building was revised to house the older mentally handicapped children as a living environment. The “Demir Ölçen House”, designed as an example training facility for students who are ready to make the transition to independent living, was funded by Makbule Ölçen and Dr Ali Nejat Ölçen and donated to the Foundation. The “Jale Cavcav Physical Therapy Building”, generously donated by businessman Önder Cavcav, an enclosed Sports Hall built and financed by the Spor Toto Organization and by Vakıfbank, and a prefabricated Education Building with its construction costs met by The Government of Japan, are planned to open for occupation and use in 2006. (See: Education and Rehabilitation Activities)

As work at the main Foundation Center rigorously continued, families of children with mental handicaps in various provinces and counties in Turkey joined together and appealed to the Foundation to organize new branches. The Foundation Center opened its arms to such groups with dedication, determination, and conviction. Starting in 1986 the number of Foundation Branches increased rapidly to 21 within a few years.

Unfortunately, six of these Branches had to cease their activities due to financial difficulties and earthquake disasters. Today 15 Branch Offices are fully operational, serving close to 1500 mentally handicapped students and their families. (See: Branch Offices)

In 2000, Makbule Ölçen, who has dedicated her life to the mentally disabled and was the person to ignite the first light, stepped down from the presidency of the Foundation. She was unanimously elected to be the Honorary President.

Since then, the Foundation has been operating by a seven-member Executive Board, under the presidency of Ülay Karakoç. (See: Executive Board) Activities are conducted by the Foundation Executive Board, receiving help from five volunteer members responsible for the section administration, with their endless belief and determination in this cause.