Giving Cherry Pits a New Purpose Through Women’s Work
KAYSERİ - In Yahyalı, the story of a cherry continues after the fruit has been eaten. Through Tohumluk Foundation’s Cherry Pit Pillow Project, we are helping transform a material that might otherwise be discarded into a product made by women, connecting local resources with creativity and community support.
At the Yahyalı Şehit Adem İlkkılıç Public Education Center, women participating in the project clean and dry cherry pits before using them to fill fabric pillows. This process gives a new purpose to a by-product of the district’s cherry production. [Habertürk / Anadolu Agency](https://yerel-haberler.haberturk.com/kayseri-haberleri/cope-giden-kiraz-cekirdekleri-kadin-emegiyle-yastiga-donusturuluyor-119507772)
We took the first step during our visit to Yahyalı on October 5. Bekir Konak supplied the cherry pits for the first product, while our Foundation provided fabric and patterns. Seeing that preparation develop into production demonstrates how local connections can support practical community initiatives.
At the heart of the project is our aim to support participation in production for rural women facing barriers to economic opportunity. By combining a locally available material with craft skills, we hope to help create products that can generate income. The initiative also encourages a fresh look at materials that are routinely discarded and the possibilities they may hold.
As our Kayseri Provincial Representative, Nilüfer Bıçakcıoğlu, explained in the news report, our Foundation purchased the first pillows produced. Sales through bazaars and other channels are intended to generate income for the women. [Habertürk / Anadolu Agency](https://yerel-haberler.haberturk.com/kayseri-haberleri/cope-giden-kiraz-cekirdekleri-kadin-emegiyle-yastiga-donusturuluyor-119507772)
For us, this project brings environmental awareness and local development together while recognizing women’s work. Behind each product is time devoted to learning, making, and working with others.
We thank the participants, instructors, Public Education Center team, and supporters who have contributed. At Tohumluk Foundation, we continue building bridges between urban and rural communities by supporting local possibilities and women’s participation in production.
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