“Who wouldn’t want to reunite with their homeland?” (SSN Programme)”

Gufran Eluveys (34), a Syrian beneficiary of the Social Safety Net (SSN) Programme, lives in Ankara with her husband and four children. Her first two children were born in Syria, under the shadow of war, while her twins—whom she describes as "a joyful surprise in our lives"—were born in Türkiye and are now seven years old.

In 2014, as bombardments in Aleppo became relentless, Gufran and her husband had no choice but to seek refuge in Türkiye. Recalling those difficult days, she shares:

"We crossed the border on foot. My six-year-old son was in my husband's arms, and I carried my three-year-old. They were already our most precious belongings."

Upon arriving in Türkiye, Gufran experienced a mix of relief and fear:

"The joy of survival was overpowered by the fear of the unknown."

The family first took shelter with a relative in Bursa, but the house was too small to accommodate two families. Fortunately, a kind Turkish citizen offered them temporary shelter in an empty shop. For three months, they had a roof over their heads—though the shop lacked electricity and running water.

Looking back on their journey, Gufran reflects on the challenges of starting over:

"My husband was an experienced textile worker in Aleppo, but when you arrive in a new country without knowing the language, you don’t work in your profession—you work wherever you can find a job. He never hesitated to do whatever was necessary to support us. At first, he worked as a porter, then he learned welding… Now, thanks to the carpentry skills he gained in Türkiye, he has been working in furniture making for a long time."

After their twins were born, a neighbor advised them to apply for the KIZILAYKART Programme. Gufran explains that they only receive assistance when her husband does not have an insured job, as per SSN Programme criteria. She is particularly grateful that she can access information about KIZILAYKART in her native language through the 168 Kızılay Call Centre.

Her husband occasionally finds insured work, though these jobs are often short-term. During transitions, KIZILAYKART has provided critical support:

"While my husband searches for a new insured job, he takes on daily labor to sustain us. During these times, the KIZILAYKART Programme has been a great help. Thanks to the SSN Programme, we can pay our electricity and water bills without falling into debt."

Education is a priority for Gufran and her husband. She is pleased that their children also benefit from the Conditional Cash Transfer for Education (CCTE) Project while they are supported through KIZILAYKART.

Although she preferred not to be photographed for cultural reasons, Gufran was happy to include her twin sons in the story. She and her husband closely follow the security situation in Syria, hoping for conditions that would allow their return:

"Who wouldn’t want to reunite with their homeland? Every family faces different circumstances upon return. Unfortunately, we no longer have a home or land in Syria. We are waiting for conditions that will secure our children’s future—a home to live in and a school for them to attend. And when the time comes, we would love to return."