A Journey of Resilience: The Hacciko Family’s Story (SSN Programme)

The Syrian Hacciko family is one of hundreds of thousands who lost everything—including their health—due to the war, forcing them to seek refuge in Türkiye.

Adil Hacciko, the father, welcomes us into their rented home in Ankara, embracing his three daughters—whom he calls “my everything”—before beginning to share their story.

For nine years, the Hacciko family clung to the belief that patience would see them through, choosing to stay in Syria despite the worsening conflict. However, their son, who suffers from epilepsy, began experiencing severe seizures every time he stepped outside.

“Sudden loud noises, bright lights, and physical chaos trigger epileptic seizures. Unfortunately, by 2020, these had become an everyday reality in Damascus,” Adil recalls.

At the time, his twin daughters, Naya and Tala—now five years old—were just infants. With his wife carrying the twins and Adil holding their son in his arms, they made the difficult journey to Türkiye. To fund their escape, Adil sold two family homes and their cars.

“Leaving everything behind is devastating,” he reflects. “We wanted our son to receive medical care in Türkiye and for our daughters to grow up in a safe environment. Thankfully, my son is now receiving treatment, my twins are healthy, and we have since welcomed another daughter. But the stress of it all took a toll on me—I had to undergo two open-heart surgeries.”

When doctors advised Adil that he could no longer work, his wife began working as a dishwasher in neighborhood restaurants, becoming the family's primary breadwinner.

“It was during this difficult time that KIZILAYKART entered our lives,” he says. “I learned about an assistance programme for families like ours—those forced to seek refuge in Türkiye. We met the eligibility criteria, and our application was approved. The monthly cash assistance we receive through KIZILAYKART helps cover our rent, while my wife’s income goes toward other expenses.”

As our conversation comes to an end, Adil’s eyes light up when he speaks about his children's future. “We are already excited for our twins to start primary school next year,” he says, and adds:

“For me, the future is my children. I want them to study, have a profession, never see war, and always have smiles on their faces. May the faces of all children always smile.”