Yetim Foundation is now in the 4th year of its Sponsorship System that was started on the 1rst of April in 2021, the foundation continues to regularly support 20 thousand orphans around the world. Last year this number was 13 thousand, however this year 7 thousand orphans were added into this system.
One in every 35 children is either single parented or orphaned
About 150 million children (according to data from the UN) or 400 million children (according to NGO estimations) are orphaned. Half of these children live on the streets due to the lack of support from family, shelters and organizations. Around the world every 5 seconds a child is orphaned while one in every 35 children is either single parented or orphaned.
95% of these children are under the age of 15 and 80% live in extreme poverty. Along with experiencing health problems, lack of education and psychological traumas these children are also defenseless against illegal gangs, missionaries, organ and sexual trafficking.
How does the Sponsorship System Work?
The system aims to meet education, health and basic needs of orphans living in poverty, war or natural disasters, with only a fee of 600 Turkish Liras a month from sponsors.
The system not only welcomes individual donors but also groups of donors such as families, classes or friend groups. The information such as name, date of birth, their family, country and parent’s date of death of the child to be sponsored is shared with the sponsor. Donors can also get updates, letters and updates of the child through our donor portal.
A Four-Year Success Story
In 2024, the Foundation supported 12.673 orphans in 21 countries and 1.833 orphans in 27 cities of Türkiye. The system has expanded with 20 thousand children this year. Yetim Foundation President Murat Yılmaz stated the following on this topic: “We started this journey four years ago with our first sponsor, and now we are happy to have 20 thousand orphans sponsored. These are not merely numbers, every number means the turning of a new page, a source of light for each orphan.”
Yılmaz also stressed that they support the orphans not only physically but also spiritually and psychologically: “Being an orphan doesn’t only bring a financial burden, it also brings a void in love and affection. As a foundation we provide not only financially but also psychosocial, education and rehabilitation services. We support thousands of children and mothers at our centers in Fatih, Kilis, Reyhanlı and İdlib.
Whoever wishes to join the sponsorship system can apply through the foundation’s official website. The default duration of the sponsorship is one year; however, donors can lengthen this period as they wish.