Firm funds, unveils disabled kids’ room
REFURBISHMENTS including an upgraded physiotherapy room for disabled children at a school in Karakum — funded to the tune of 300,000TL by a local businessman in memory of his father — were officially unveiled on Wednesday.
Government officials, including Education Ministry undersecretary Asım İdris, and former education minister Özdemir Berova were among those who attended the event at Karakum Special Needs School.
Headmistress Eylem Varoğlu presented Burak Başel, director of Başel Holding, with a plaque of appreciation for his company’s contribution to the school. The refurbished building has been named in honour of Mr Başel’s late father, Denkay, a former headmaster of the school.
“Everything the company has done for us was completed in May last year, when we ended up having a totally renovated building,” Ms Varoğlu said.
“[It] required new windows, new floor tiles and air-conditioning along with physiotherapy . . . equipment.
“Such contributions are always very important for us . . . as we are a school that depends almost totally on donations, except for some [costs] that are met by the [Education] Ministry.”
Mr Başel’s firm will also pay a monthly salary of 3,000TL for a year for full-time physiotherapist Göksel Babayid, who joined the school four years ago. Her wages had previously been covered by donations from Little Society of Kyrenia charity founder John Graham, who was also thanked by Ms Varoğlu.
The physiotherapy facilities include special equipment for massage and “mobility exercises” which had to be shipped in from abroad.
The school is attended by 30 children and teenagers aged from four to 18, with a range of physical and mental disabilities.