Lonely Orphans Uyghur Blog - Day 1

We started the day with a visit to meet the superstars at the Lonely Orphans Montessori School. We were greeted by the staff and given a tour of the educational centre. 

We were granted an audience with the government designated child Psychologist and observed a play session with the children who were captivated by her interaction with them.

The public servant spent thirty minutes delivering a workshop using play and expression and explained that her interventions and support run parallel with the children’s general education.

Work with those more disadvantaged involves working with hyperactive youngsters, those with ADHD and dealing with anger management. 

The Lonely Orphans school offers a confidential space for all children to explore their feelings with a trusted adult and our insight into the community benefitted a great deal from observation of this session. 

The meet and greet involved a full flow Rubiks play session and workshop to encourage creativity, problem solving and using a fun activity to challenge and sharpen the mind. The kids paid good attention and enjoyed the colours, twists and turns involved in solving the most famous puzzle in the world. 

Next up was a picnic day trip to the open and green spaces at the Kemerburgaz Kent Ormanı. 

During a fun filled picnic event the children spent the day enjoying food, snacks, going for a walk, playing games, the adventure playground, horse rides and boat paddles.

At the Lonely Orphans School the quality of education and engagement is tremendous. The teachers and support staff are adept and at ease in exercising their duty of care, and there is a genuine atmosphere of love, care and compassion here. 

The behaviour of the children is exemplary. They are friendly and respectful, content and happy. 

About 50,000 Uyghurs are believed to reside in Turkey, the largest Uyghur diaspora outside Central Asia.

With the dedication and patience of the adults around them there is great hope that these young people will go on to make better lives for themselves and their community in the future. 

Thanks B and Aunt D for the treats!