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Asuman Taskin is Reporting from Kavak-Samsun In such a short period, Bridges of Hope Project (BOHP) established twenty seven libraries in Yatili Ilkogretim Bolge Okulu (YIBO) schools. YIBO schools have been built with the premise to educate children that are living in rural Turkey. Although, the schools were built with everything, a theater, gym, library, kitchen, study area, separate dormitory for boys and girls and Turkish bath as well within each dormitory. However, due to lack of resources, the YIBO schools are not kept up; therefore, BOHP has committed itself to meet YIBOS needs to instill the pleasure of learning in children so that these children can grow into strong healthy adults and leaders. In fact, Bridges of Hope Project through Ilkyar built two libraries in Kavak (Samsun), Ataturk Yatili Ilkogretim Bolge Okulu (YIBO). Ataturk YIBO is remotely located in Central North of Turkey; it is a dynamic boarding school within Kavak community with a population of 600 students in grades first through eighth. Upon entering the school, you immediately sense the warmth and students desire to learn. Ataturk YIBO's Principal and teachers work together to provide an academically challenging curriculum and culturally rich environment for all students.
The founder of Bridges of Hope Project, Cigdem Acar and co-Executive Director Katharine Branning, visited Ataturk YIBO over the summer of 2007 to determine first hand if indeed the BOHP donations are channeled in the right direction. They were delighted to see that BOHP mission has been realized in this school. There are now two libraries with 800 hundred new books. They know now these books will foster the love of reading in the children and it will open up a whole new world for them taking their lives in a completely different direction. Mostly, Ms. Acar and Ms. Branning, were moved with the mural painted on the wall of the library lounge by the children, it says "books are like sunshine, it worms us up and enlightens us".
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