GEP Volunteers Help Children Learn, Grow and Dream
TDP's Voluntary Teaching Project (Gönüllü Eğitim Projesi - GEP) started its work in 2001. The project's purpose is to assist children whose families cannot send them to private weekend courses to prepare for the High School Entrance Exam (SBS).
GEP volunteers go to the children's schools every Saturday and, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., try to create an atmosphere in which they are able to learn effectively. In addition, to help motivate their students, the volunteers arrange for them to visit Bilkent and see what a university campus is like, and also give informative presentations that help the children build their dreams.
This year, in addition to serving as teachers and role models, GEP volunteers are planning extra activities such as ÇocukFest and Altunbilekler Kitap Toplama Kampanyası.
The volunteers want their students to have an unforgettable Children's Day on April 23, and so are arranging for a festival to be held at Bilkent. ÇocukFest will include entertaining shows and lots of great activities, all geared toward making this a fun-filled holiday for the children.
The Altunbilekler Book Collection Campaign started on March 26 and will last until May 19. This new campaign addresses a problem that the volunteers have long noticed: some of the schools involved in the project don't have libraries, and even those with libraries don't have enough worthwhile books in their collections. The volunteers decided to help the schools establish better libraries in order to encourage children to develop the habit of reading. Their idea is being implemented through this campaign, sponsored by Altunbilekler Supermarkets. Every Altunbilekler Supermarket in Ankara is collecting novels and storybooks for primary school children. The company is informing the public about the campaign through posters, brochures and billboards.
If you want to be a part of solution by participating in GEP, you can learn more on the TDP website (www.tdp.bilkent.edu.tr) and contact the group through GEP Coordinator Mert Ilgın: mrt.ilgin@gmail.com or at: tdp@bilkent.edu.tr.