READY TO WRITE YOUR OWN STORY?
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Overview
Tohumluk Foundation has launched a comprehensive initiative at a regional boarding school in Kiraz, İzmir, to support the cultural, artistic and career development of children living in rural communities.
The project helps students discover their strengths, explore future career opportunities and express themselves through creative learning experiences. By bringing together the arts, science and inspiring role models, it fosters curiosity, imagination and self-confidence while encouraging children to dream bigger and realize their full potential.
Project
Objectives
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Strengthen children’s access to information to support informed career exploration and future educational choices.
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Expand opportunities for active participation in cultural and artistic activities.
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Connect students with volunteer professionals from a wide range of careers, allowing them to learn directly from inspiring role models.
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Support personal growth through creative workshops that encourage curiosity, collaboration and self-expression.
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Develop communication and writing skills by helping students express their thoughts, ideas and aspirations with confidence.
Target Audience
This project is designed for 60 students attending a regional boarding school in Kiraz, İzmir. The students come primarily from rural communities and families with limited socio-economic opportunities.
Many have little access to the educational, cultural and artistic experiences that are more readily available to children in urban areas. By bringing these opportunities directly to their school, the project seeks to reduce this gap and ensure that every child has the chance to learn, grow and discover their potential, regardless of where they live.
Activities
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Monthly career exploration sessions led by volunteer professionals from a wide range of occupations, introducing students to different career paths and inspiring future aspirations.
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Life skills workshops covering essential topics such as time management, safe internet use and basic first aid.
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Creative arts and hands-on workshops that encourage artistic expression, craftsmanship and creative thinking.
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Educational visits to museums and theatres in the city of İzmir, providing students with enriching cultural experiences beyond their local environment.
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Drama and creative writing workshops that actively engage students in storytelling, performance and self-expression while strengthening their communication and teamwork skills.
Project Timeline
1. month
Career Introduction Session
Psychologist
Sociologist
Workshops & Activities
Goal Setting
Time Management
Online Safety
2. month
Career Introduction Session
Biologist
Nurse
Workshops & Activities
First Aid Training
3. month
Career Introduction Session
Dentist
Dental technician
Workshops & Activities
Oral Health & Dental Hygiene
Stone Painting Workshop
Creative Hobbies Workshop
4. month
Career Introduction Session
Engineer
Businessman
Workshops & Activities
Cloth Doll Making Workshop
Sewing Workshop
5. month
Career Introduction Session
Dog Trainer
Digital Designer
Medical Laboratory Technician
Workshops & Activities
Understanding Animal Behaviour
Introduction to Digital Design
6. month
Career Introduction Session
Author
Medical Doctor
Workshops & Activities
Reading Circle
Creative Writing Workshop
Drama Rehearsals
Theatre Performance & Exhibition
Expected Outcomes
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The publication of a collective book titled My Story, featuring personal stories written by each student.
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A student performance of Our World Is Everything, a theatre production developed as part of the project.
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A public exhibition showcasing the students’ handmade artwork and creative projects.
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A comprehensive visual archive documenting the project through photographs, videos and written stories.
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Participation of students and teachers in educational and cultural visits to museums, theatres and other cultural venues in İzmir.
Rights-Based Approach
This project is grounded in the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), particularly Articles 13, 28 and 31, which affirm every child’s right to freedom of expression, access to education, and participation in cultural and artistic life.
By creating meaningful opportunities for learning, creativity and self-expression, the project seeks to help children exercise these rights in practice. It also aims to contribute to broader awareness of children’s rights and to promote their stronger integration into educational policies and practices.
At Tohumluk Foundation, we adopt a rights-based approach that recognizes every child and every individual as a rights holder, ensuring equal access to education, culture, the arts and opportunities for personal development, regardless of where they live.
Project Showcase & Closing Event
In the final month of the project, a comprehensive Project Showcase & Closing Event will celebrate the students’ achievements and creative work.
The event will feature the presentation of the students’ stories published as part of the My Story project, an exhibition of their creative work, and a live performance of the theatre production "Our World Is Everything".
Parents, teachers, local government representatives, community leaders and project partners will be invited to attend, providing an opportunity to celebrate the students’ accomplishments and strengthen the connections between the school, families and the wider community.
Impact and Outcome
This project empowers children living in rural communities to broaden their horizons, discover their potential and develop their creative talents with greater confidence.
Beyond its direct impact on students, the project offers a practical and scalable model for local decision-makers, demonstrating how rights-based initiatives can expand access to education, culture and the arts for children in rural areas. By doing so, it aims to inspire similar programmes and contribute to more inclusive and equitable opportunities for children across rural communities.
