2.2. Community Engagement and Technical Assistance

The second case; Duzce Golyaka solidarity houses project here, the Imece Evleri Projesi which is a solidarity houses project, it was constructed by the association of volunteers for solidarity AVS and within partnership in Gelderland Aid of Turkey Organization which has collected money from Turkish people living in province of, so they have people who are living in overseas, they have collected certain funds.

This project, called the Imece Evleri Projesi, is a collaborative effort between a volunteer association (AVS) and a Turkish organization (Gelderland Aid) to build houses for those in need. The funds were raised by Turkish citizens living abroad, showcasing the importance of community support from those who may have left but still feel connected to their homeland.

Imagine a group of friends living in different countries who decide to help their hometown after a disaster. They pool together their money and resources to build new homes for families affected by floods, demonstrating solidarity and support from afar.

The method of construction, that the villages would take an active part in the construction so, here what happened was the villagers they also said that at least each family one person has to be part of it.

In this approach, each family was required to contribute at least one member to participate in the construction of their new homes. This ensured that the villagers were directly involved in the rebuilding process, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in the community.

Think of it like a community garden where every family has to plant and care for their section. This not only beautifies the neighborhood but also teaches everyone how to grow their food and work together as a community.

The funds would be managed by a shared fund administration of one representative from the villager AVS and the Gelderland delegation and the governorship so, there is a group of one from the community, one from the funding agency, one from the international NGO sponsor and the local governments.

The financial management of the construction project involved a collaborative committee made up of representatives from different parties: community members, funding agencies, international NGOs, and local government. This structure encouraged transparency and cooperation in decision-making, ensuring that all stakeholders had a voice.

Imagine a school project where students are assigned different roles such as the director, budget manager, and outreach coordinator. By working together and hearing everyone's opinions, they ensure the project is successful and meets everyone's needs.

The stakeholders were the universities, the Mimar Sinan University, who also provided various technical inputs to the housing project also, the project professionals, architects and engineers.

Technical experts, including universities and professional architects, played a crucial role in providing guidance and resources for the housing project. Their involvement ensured that the construction was safe, efficient, and adhered to up-to-date building standards.

Think of a sports team where the coach brings in expert trainers to teach players new skills. These experts help the team improve performance and strategy, just as architects and engineers enhance the housing project with their knowledge.

The villagers are also engaged in the construction activities so, because it has built self-reliance when they are building their own home so, during this process they were living in the temporary shelters.

By participating in the construction of their own homes, villagers not only gain skills but also boost their self-reliance and confidence. Living in temporary shelters while working on their houses allows them to witness the tangible progress of their efforts.

It's like students learning to cook by preparing their own meals while living in the dorms. As they learn and improve their cooking, they gain confidence in their abilities and take pride in the food they create.

The voluntary services have initiated a model, where how do the users can participate and they have decided these three reasons; one is the users could observe every aspect of the construction, thus guaranteeing the reliability of the structure and safety.

The participation model allowed community members to oversee the construction process, ensuring that homes were built safely and to high standards. This involvement helps to lower costs by utilizing volunteer labor, ultimately allowing more homes to be built.

Think of it like a local community theatre production where community members take part in every aspect, from acting to set design. Their oversight ensures a great performance and reduces costs compared to hiring professionals for everything.

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