Photo by LEAP

Article by Ali Selim Kara, Communications Officer for LEAP

ÇORUM, TÜRKIYE – For Noor Muhammed and Salma, fleeing Afghanistan wasn’t a choice—it was survival. Now living in Çorum, Türkiye, they shared how they escaped danger in Afghanistan and how LEAP’s Turkish language courses have helped them rebuild their lives. 

A Dangerous Path to Safety 

Before the Taliban’s resurgence, Noor worked as an inspector. “I was seen as a threat and began receiving threats from those I had sent to prison,” he recalls. Salma, a history teacher advocating for girls’ education, faced similar dangers. “I encouraged families to send their daughters to school, which the Taliban opposed,” she explains. With escalating threats, they knew they had to leave. 

Their departure was challenging, but after hearing about attacks on their home after they fled, they knew it was the right decision. “We left with heavy hearts but no choice,” says Salma. They arrived in Türkiye with visas and initially settled in Istanbul, but the city posed challenges. 

Struggles in Türkiye 

“Istanbul was difficult—too large, with a different language and culture,” Noor shares. Navigating transportation and healthcare was overwhelming without knowing Turkish. “We relied on relatives for even the simplest tasks,” Salma adds. They eventually moved to Yalova and then to Çorum, hoping for a quieter life. 

Finding LEAP’s Language Courses 

Settling in Çorum was daunting—they knew no one. “We spent time at the mosque, and bazaar, and walked around, hoping to meet someone from our culture who could help,” Noor says. One day, they discovered the LEAP center and were invited to join the Turkish language courses. “We haven’t missed a single day in a month and a half!” Salma says with a smile. “I’m so grateful for this course.” 

The course has transformed Salma’s life. “I miss it on weekends because the time spent there is so meaningful,” she says. As a former teacher, she admires the engaging methods. “Our trainer makes learning fun and helps each student individually. I understand the challenges of teaching, and I admire her dedication.” 

Noor echoes Salma’s sentiments. “We couldn’t have afforded this course ourselves. They provide all the materials, and it feels tailored just for us. Our trainer even helps us with extra topics outside class,” he says. “When the course ends for the day, she sets up a conversation club, and we continue practicing Turkish in an interactive setting.” 

Noor and Salma at the LEAP center in Çorum. Photos by LEAP

Daily Life Improvements 

Their progress in Turkish has greatly impacted their daily lives. “Thanks to LEAP, we can now read signs, shop, and explain symptoms at the hospital,” Noor says. “These might seem small, but they’re huge milestones for us.” 

Salma adds, “In Afghanistan, men and women couldn’t speak outside their families, but here, my husband and I attend classes together and love it. We’ve even made friends. Thanks to LEAP, we now have a community in Çorum.” 

Reflecting on their journey, Noor expresses their gratitude. “Without LEAP, I don’t know who would have helped us. They’ve given us so much without asking for anything in return, and for that, we are deeply thankful.” 

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This article is prepared in the scope of the “Community-based Local Initiatives Project (CLIP 2)”, co-funded by the European Union through its Humanitarian Aid Operations department (ECHO) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Its content covers humanitarian aid activities implemented with the financial assistance of the European Union and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the commissioning parties. 

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