About Hanan Foundation

The Hanan Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to creating opportunities through education and mentorship for at risk refugees and orphans. By providing these at-risk children with the basic needs necessary to cope and overcome the trauma of war and exile and facilitate their success in going back to school, we strive to build a generation of strong and confident individuals with high aspirations, despite the hardships they have endured.

In 2015

Our founder was recognized by the Kanarya k.cekmece District in Istanbul, Turkey for her contribution to several humanitarian missions to help the Turkish government financially and logistically in their efforts to assimilate the Syrian refugees. During that time, the Tayfur Sökmen İlkokulu (Tayfur Sökn Primary School) in the district was failing in its mission to transition the Syrian refugees to the Turkish school system. In 2015, Hanan Foundation was approached by the district to take over the operation and financial responsibility for this school. The district renamed the school to Salahidin Ayoubi School. The Foundation helped create a new curriculum, hired staff and teachers to provide remedial education to children and to equip them with tools they need to succeed in the Turkish education system.
In addition, the Foundation provided basic clothing, school lunches, shoes and winter coats and other support functions for the students. We also incorporated computer literacy, physical education, health, science, geography and language within the school to ensure a well-rounded program.

In 2016

Hanan received a brand-new school building as a donation from the municipality of Sultanbeyli, in Istanbul to start the Hanan Okulu (Hanan school) for orphans and refugees. Later in 2016, we were recognized, by the Public Works Director, for saving two schools and transitioning them to the Turkish Education System in correspondence with Hanan Okulu.

Another one of our greatest accomplishments in 2016 was building a supportive coalition with Give Light Foundation and receiving generous donations from them to support our orphans.

In 2018

We established a Hanan Community Center for women and youth in Fatih/Istanbul, where the majority of Syrian refugees live. Our center for women and youth is a place that unites displaced families and offers them training to seek work, opportunities to learn the Turkish language, strengthen their Arabic language, and a chance to create a social network. Hanan is focused on developing inner strength to secure the future for Syrian Refugees so that they can better become independent and successful members of society. The community center provided financial assistance, funded many lifesaving medical procedures, and distributed needed food staples to the community.

Our Program

Education

One of our goals is to sponsor the education and advancement of refugee children as they assimilate in their new environment. Classrooms are set up to create a warm and inviting space yet have the most up to date material and technology to push the children’s interest and dedication to learn. Some need to catch up and others need to be challenged, whatever the case maybe, we strive to give them the tools to succeed.

Health

Providing free annual physicals and dental exams from volunteer healthcare professionals from around the world to assure children are healthy and informed when it comes to practicing good hygiene and preventative care.

Clothing

Despite financial hardships, each child is ensured to have the basic and essential attire for all seasons of the year.

School Supplies

Providing students and teachers with the supplies and materials needed to ensure a successful school year.

Our Mission

The Foundation contributes 100% of the donations we receive toward our Mission. Our board members fund the all the administrative costs spent operating the foundation including legal, accounting, and costs of our galas and donation campaigns.
The foundation organizes several trips annually to Turkey that include students, educators and doctors interested in volunteering their services to the orphans and their families. These missions are essential to show our support and provide hope to the people who need it most.

We are determined to achieve our mission One Child at a Time.

Our Mission

The Foundation contributes 100% of the donations we receive toward our Mission. Our board members fund the all the administrative costs spent operating the foundation including legal, accounting, and costs of our galas and donation campaigns.
The foundation organizes several trips annually to Turkey that include students, educators and doctors interested in volunteering their services to the orphans and their families. These missions are essential to show our support and provide hope to the people who need it most.

We are determined to achieve our mission One Child at a Time.

Projects by Region

Hanan Okulu

Istanbul - Turkey

Hanan Foundation set out to reinstill hope in the children who not only lost their homes, but years of education. With hard work from the volunteers in Orlando as well as our dedicated volunteer in Istanbul, Hanan Foundation has been able to secure a wonderful new facility, Hanan Okulu, as a donation from the Turkish government. Total enrollment is 530 refugee students thus far, with a majority of them being orphans. For many of these students ranging in age from 6-16, this is their first time in school.
Hanan Okulu