Three months ago, multiple earthquakes struck South and Southeast Turkiye. As time passed, the stories of affected communities and how the victims’ lives were impacted started to emerge. This is the story of 28 years old woman Ayşegül.
“My name is Ayşenur. I am 28 years old. We moved from Adıyaman to Mardin on February 10 following the earthquakes. I have been to Mardin previously; I studied at Mardin Artuklu University at the Faculty of Architecture. After graduating in 2020, I returned to Adıyaman, where I married and raised a daughter. I opened an architecture office in Adıyaman and started to work.
Studying architecture in Mardin was like a dream for me. On the night of the earthquake, I saw a photograph of Mardin Ulu Mosque and took a screenshot of it. I told my husband, “I wish we visited Mardin.” Then the earthquakes happen. I cannot forget the darkness and cold weather on the night of the earthquake. We had no electricity for three days and lived with 60 people temporarily in the same house. A few days later, I somehow got into my ruined house and found my phone. When I turned it on, I saw that Artuklu University was sharing posts that they couldn’t reach me. I immediately contacted my lecturers and friends. With their support, we moved to Mardin.
When I first came to Mardin, I felt desperate and sad. I attended a lunch event in the Old Town of Mardin, and this is how I visited the building of the Leap Cooperative for the first time. I was impressed by how the women hosted us and their friendly attitudes toward us. I timidly asked if I could join them, and I can never forget their answer: “You can join us and start tomorrow if you want,” they said.
This is how I met the Leap Natural team. They asked me if I would be interested in joining the block printing atelier. I was curious when I saw the colorful paints and fabrics. I joined the atelier and learned to prepare colors and block printing techniques. The environment in the atelier is very safe. Working with the women in the atelier helped me regain my self-confidence. Learning a traditional craft in a historical building and connecting daily with peer women felt like therapy.
I now realize that I’ve been afraid to be happy and scared of losing what makes me happy, like my family. The women in the atelier have been comforting me and provided me with a safe and nurturing environment. My future is uncertain now. Maybe I will continue with Leap Natural in Mardin or return to Adıyaman. Either way, I will support women’s cooperatives anywhere I am. Despite all the difficulties, we women must be brave and never lose hope.”
