“Instead of Bedtime Stories, I Tell My Grandchild About the Happy Days We Once Had in Syria”

The Rannan family is one of many Syrian families who lost their home due to war and came to Türkiye in search of medical support. Now living in a rented house in Ankara, three generations share a life under one roof: 55-year-old grandfather Münir Rannan, his two children living with profound disabilities, and the family of his son Başar.

In 2014, after their home in Syria was destroyed by a bombing, Münir strapped his then 10-year-old son Mahmut to his back, carried his 1-year-old daughter Fatma in his arms, and walked all the way to the Turkish border.

“Some families were able to bring a few pieces of clothing. Anyone with a disabled child knows—strollers are essential. But I had to carry both of my children, so I didn’t even take food with me to avoid extra weight.”

His sister and son Başar, who worked in the furniture business, had already arrived in Ankara. “I stayed behind in Syria because I thought, ‘My healthy son can earn a living anywhere, but starting over with my disabled children would be nearly impossible.’ But once we lost our home, we had no choice but to seek refuge in Türkiye,” says Münir.

Once in Türkiye, his first priority was figuring out how to support his children. On the day he reached Ankara, he went to an internet café and started searching for help. That’s when he came across the KIZILAYKART Programmes.

“I’ve always been curious. When I saw KIZILAYKART, I started digging. I went to the Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation and applied. They told me I could receive support through the Complementary Emergency Social Safety Net (C-ESSN) because of my children’s disabilities. I later learned -again from the internet- that this programme is funded by the European Union and delivered through the Ministry of Family and Social Services and Türk Kızılay. May God bless you all.”

Münir can no longer work; his full time is devoted to caring for his children. The family survives on the income of his older son Başar, who works in furniture, and the support they receive through KIZILAYKART. Thanks to this assistance, the children’s treatments continue and basic needs are more easily met.

His eyes fill with tears as he tells how his son named his newborn baby after him:

“We call him Little Münir. Instead of bedtime stories, I tell him about the happy days we once had in Syria.”

Münir’s longing for Syria is evident in every word. He shares his dream for the future:

“There’s no home left for me to return to, but if things get better in Syria, I’d like to go back and live there -even in a caravan. I want my grandson to get a good education and help bring back the beautiful days Syria once knew.”

The Complementary Emergency Social Safety Net (C-ESSN) Project is funded by the European Union and co-implemented with the Ministry of Family and Social Services and Türk Kızılay through the KIZILAYKART Platform.