Qnushyo

Qnushyo is made up of a group of local and international volunteers who have come together to make a difference in the lives of refugees in Istanbul. We are a gathering place created to provide a space of community and learning for refugees arriving in Istanbul from surrounding countries, predominately from Syria. Our aim is to assist refugees through activities, workshops and trainings that focus on skills development, local knowledge and integration, and the promotion of well-being. We conduct activities under three main categories: 1. Educational Guidance 2. Community 3. Women's Empowerment The center has enabled refugees to develop and utilize their skills, talents and professions, while first and foremost helping to meet their basic needs. By doing this, Qnushyo enables the community to not only support themselves, but to live a full life during their period of transit from one country to another. Over 5.4 million people have fled Syria since 2011, with 3.5 million registered Syrian refugees seeking safety in Turkey Many Syrian refugees, especially those of Assyrian background, ended up in Istanbul's Yedikule neighborhood. During the first years of the Syrian refugee crisis, the Yedikule community had no outreach programs or activities, and the children didn't attend any school or have any structured activities. In addition there were no mental health resources for a community that suffered from the effects of war and migration. Qnushyo's founders Yakup Atuğ and Önver Çetrez saw the need in Yedikule and began to organize the community.