Staff and pupils of Star College Bridgetown hosted an assembly to raise awareness and pray for Turkey and Syria, after an earthquake left more than 46 000 people there killed.
On Monday February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake and a series of strong tremors devastated southeast Turkey and northwest Syria.
On Wednesday February 15, both Star College’s primary school and the boys high school held a joint special assembly, where the high school principal, Ugur Hulusi, informed them that he is from the city at the epicentre of the earthquake.
The businessman who donated the building where Star College is housed in Bridgetown, is also from Gaziantep, the city where Mr Hulusi is from.
Teacher Leanne Ulama, the head of department at the primary school, said she hoped that the pupils will take the information and share it with their family and friends to create awareness.
“We know high-schoolers are active on social media and this time around they can use it as a positive tool. We have joined hands with an organisation called Time to Care South Africa, who is raising funds for the people of Turkey and Syria. There is a poster available on social media about their efforts, and we are encouraging our learners to share that. This is also a reminder for us to do good in the world and to be kind and compassionate. Even if all we can do to help, is to pray,” Ms Ulama said.
During the assembly, Mr Hulusi read a heart-wrenching social media post by his 25-year-old niece, whom he only wanted to identify as Merve, where she says they are physically alive, but psychologically dead, and appeal for prayers.
Mr Hulusi said he could only reach his brother three days after the earthquake.
“I have only managed to reach about 15% of my family. I am from a big family. There is no electricity, no water, and it is snowing there now, so it is cold. People lost their homes and historical places have been destroyed. Thousands of buildings have collapsed, dead bodies are starting to smell and people are generally just scared. It pains me that I cannot do anything, because I am so far away. I can’t eat, because I know they can’t eat,” Mr Hulusi said.