Photo by LEAP

Article by Ali Selim Kara, Communications Officer for RET in Türkiye

AKSARAY, TÜRKIYE – Escaping instability and conflict in Afghanistan and Syria, two refugees from vastly different cultures and backgrounds found an unlikely friendship in Türkiye. Despite language barriers and cultural differences, Halime and Tağrid formed a deep connection at RET’s Community Center in Aksaray, proving that shared challenges can unite even the most diverse of hearts.

Türkiye is currently home to over four million refugees. According to ILO, 2024 marks the seventh years in a row that country has hosted the largest number of refugees in the world. The vast majority, close to 3.6 million, come from Syria, while 400,000 are Afghanis, Iranians and Iraqis.

While both Halime and Tağrid have been in Türkiye for a number years, like many others, they faced challenges in learning Turkish and navigating a new culture. Halime, who had been struggling with reading and writing Turkish, enrolled in a Turkish language course at RET International. It was there that she met Tağrid, who was also seeking to improve her Turkish skills.

Photo by RET

Tağrid, originally from Syria, has been living in Türkiye for 11 years. Despite having a large circle of friends from various countries, she has faced challenges in communicating with her Turkish friends and neighbors. While she can understand Turkish, she struggles to respond effectively. Also, due to taking care of her six children and household chores, Tağrid spends less time outside the home and does not have enough opportunities to practice Turkish.

Support more women like Halime and Tağrid by making a donation to RET today.

Halime, a native of Afghanistan, has been living in Turkey for eight years. While her daily interactions have helped her improve her spoken Turkish, she has struggled with reading and writing the language. This has proven to be particularly difficult when she is out in public, as she often relies on others to help her understand written information or write messages.

Photo by RET

“I was so happy to finally find someone who could understand my struggles,” Halime explained. “We started talking during breaks and quickly realized that we had a lot in common.” Tağrid shared Halime’s feelings and expressed her appreciation for their friendship. “I hadn’t made any friends for a long time,” she said. “Halime became one of my best friends here. We even exchanged our numbers to meet and spend time together outside of RET’s center.”

The two women have been practicing Turkish together, supporting each other’s learning and sharing their experiences. “I think it is even more beneficial for me to speak Turkish with a non-Turkish-speaking person,” Tağrid explained. “We teach each other and learn from each other so many things.” Their friendship has not only helped them improve their Turkish language skills but has also provided them with a valuable support system. Through their shared experiences, they have found comfort, understanding, and a sense of belonging in a new country.

To help us continue this critical work with refugees in Türkiye and around the world, make a donation to RET today.