Inspire Türkiye 2025
From August 4th to 13th and August 17th to 26th, volunteers will assist in a summer camp in Türkiye that facilitates learning and psychosocial programming for Syrian, Uyghur, and Turkish orphans.
Highlights
- Istanbul, Türkiye
- Fundraising Target → $3,500 CAD per volunteer
- Registration Fee → $475 CAD non-refundable registration fee is required once accepted into the Inspire program
Main activities
Volunteers will assist in a summer camp affiliated with the ongoing orphans’ program to facilitate learning and psychosocial programming. Psychosocial programming is crucial for orphans and vulnerable children as it provides a structured framework for emotional support and mental well-being, helping them navigate the challenges of loss, trauma, and instability.
By addressing psychological and social needs, such programming fosters resilience, emotional growth, and a sense of belonging, essential for their overall development and integration into society.
This is carried out through a variety of activities, such as:
Team building and developing self-confidence
Educational and fun learning activities
Visits to scientific and educational institutions
Sports and fun learning activities
Volunteers will also pack and distribute food items and hygiene boxes to refugee families and gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by the refugee communities.
Furthermore, volunteers will have the opportunity to:
- Visit local Islamic Relief projects and interact with rights-holders to hear their stories.
- Take part in organized sightseeing activities, including visits to the Panorama 1453 Museum, Princess Islands, and other monuments in Istanbul.
Benefits of field study
The Inspire program aims to provide volunteers with a unique and eye-opening experience, where they immerse themselves in a completely different context than they are normally accustomed to. This program encompasses the “give and take” principle; it is an opportunity to give back to vulnerable communities overseas whilst learning and growing skills in an enriching environment.
After completing the program, letters of reference will be given out to participants upon request. Participants will also be encouraged to continue volunteering with Islamic Relief Canada following the trip to continue their humanitarian efforts.
Fundraising Process
All accepted applicants are required to raise a minimum of $3,500 CAD each. All the funds raised will go towards Islamic Relief projects in Türkiye. We will provide each volunteer with a fundraising session that includes tips on fundraising, engaging your network, etc. We will also set up an online fundraising page for each volunteer to raise funds for their project.
Donations will be allocated towards the Inspire program components and contribute to ongoing, long-term projects in the region. None of the donations will go towards the personal costs of the volunteers.
Accommodations & Costs
Islamic Relief Canada will cover your stay in Türkiye, including your accommodation, transportation within the country, food, and scheduled sightseeing activities. Please note that flights are NOT covered. Thus, the volunteer is responsible for purchasing their flights to and from Türkiye and mandatory health insurance.
Pre-Departure Training
Once accepted into the program, volunteers are required to complete a combination of mandatory virtual and online training sessions. There will be about 3-4 sessions in total, with an average duration of 2 hours each. The training will cover Fundraising, Team Building, Country Profile, Islamic Relief's History, Field Safety and Security, Activity Planning, Humanitarian Standards, and Passion Projects. The schedule will be released upon being accepted into the program. These training sessions are mandatory to attend.