Hatay “100th Year Vıllage” Opens On October 17!

AFTER THE FEBRUARY 6 EARTHQUAKE, THE FIRST PERMANENT HOUSING PROJECT REALIZED BY A CIVIL INITIATIVE:
HATAY “100TH YEAR VILLAGE” OPENS ON OCTOBER 17!

The first and only permanent housing project created by a civil initiative after the earthquake, located within the Mustafa Kemal University Campus in Hatay, and built to provide homes for earthquake survivors, will deliver the first phase of the "100th Year Village" on October 17. With a total of 255 houses and a capacity for 2,000 people, the project’s stakeholders—Mustafa Kemal University, the Gendarmerie Welfare Foundation, the Gülmek İyileştirir (Laughter Heals) Foundation, volunteers from Blocks for Hope, and goodwill ambassadors such as artists Uğur Aslan and İlker Ayrık—have instilled hope in everyone with this humanitarian effort in Türkiye’s centennial year.

In the short term, the structures in the project will accommodate earthquake-affected healthcare workers and university personnel for free. In the long term, they will be used as student dormitories and for other university facilities.

The opening ceremony on October 17 will be attended by Uğur Aslan, İlker Ayrık, and other goodwill ambassadors, including Gökhan Çınar and Jehan Barbur.

By combining Hatay’s sociocultural heritage and traditional architecture with today’s modern designs, the buildings were constructed using steel frames surrounded by adobe walls to enhance sustainability. Offering hope to Hatay, the "100th Year Village" was established by the 100th Year Village Platform, a collaboration between Mustafa Kemal University, the Gendarmerie Welfare Foundation, the Gülmek İyileştirir Foundation, and Blocks for Hope volunteers. Additionally, a Youth Center for university students, supported by the Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF), will be opened by the Community Volunteers Foundation (TOG).

Sinan Güreli, Member of the 100th Year Village Project Executive Team: Still Seeking Support for Phase 3

Sinan Güreli, a member of the Executive Team that initiated the 100th Year Village Project, stated:

“After the massive earthquake, creating sustainable living spaces for displaced citizens was our top priority. As a long-term investment project entirely based on volunteerism, we aimed to provide homes for earthquake survivors through this initiative, which is the first and only permanent housing project realized by a civil initiative after the February 6 earthquake. By opening the first phase on October 17, we will have provided homes for some earthquake victims. Our joy and pride are indescribable. We extend heartfelt thanks to our partners Mustafa Kemal University, the Gendarmerie Welfare Foundation, the Gülmek İyileştirir Foundation, Blocks for Hope volunteers, goodwill ambassadors Uğur Aslan, İlker Ayrık, and many more heroes who joined us on this journey. However, we still need support for the third phase of the 100th Year Village. We invite everyone to be part of this humanitarian effort.”

Burçin Gürbüz, Member of the Project Executive Team and Architect of the 100th Year Village:

Burçin Gürbüz explained:
“In the 100th Year Village Project, we used the power of the earth to reduce the high temperatures, which prevail for around eight months during the summer, to room temperature. Beyond respecting nature, we planned to work in harmony with it, designing the structures to meet all physical needs in a way that would seamlessly integrate with the environment. Just as you wouldn’t feel discomfort from heat while walking in a forest, we designed the thermal balance within the village to emulate that of a forest. After being offered to earthquake-affected families free of charge, these facilities will later be used as dormitories or managed by various university units. We started as a volunteer initiative aiming to touch lives in every possible way. After the earthquake, Hatay became like a second home to us. We envisioned this project as a versatile social platform capable of meeting all essential needs. Together with our goodwill ambassadors, we achieved incredible things. Now, we are filled with pride as we prepare to open the first phase.”

Goodwill Ambassador and Gülmek İyileştirir Foundation Board Member İlker Ayrık:

Ilker Ayrık emphasized the project’s importance, stating:
“These permanent homes will first serve earthquake survivors, and later, they will function as dormitories or housing managed jointly by the Gendarmerie Welfare Foundation and the University. What makes this project different is its sustainability. We’re not just solving the housing problem; we’re also supporting Mustafa Kemal University, the lifeblood of Antakya, in continuing its educational and healthcare services. Revenue generated from the operation of these facilities will also provide scholarships for students. We are creating a self-sustaining living space. Furthermore, we are sharing the project’s designs as open-source, enabling anyone to access and utilize them for free in the event of a future natural disaster. This initiative meets over 85% of the United Nations’ sustainability criteria.”

Goodwill Ambassador Uğur Aslan:

Uğur Aslan shared his thoughts:
“As a nation, we experienced a deeply painful period. The immense grief of losing thousands of lives weighs heavily on all of us. Among the millions affected, I personally lost family members, making this tragedy particularly intense for me. It’s essential to offer support and empathy during such times. Being there for someone submerged in despair, providing them with moral strength and a shoulder to lean on, is the greatest gift. Standing by them with patience and understanding, sharing their sorrow, and making them feel they are not alone is invaluable. Recovery is a long and arduous journey, but by supporting each other, I believe we can emerge stronger. Through this initiative, launched in Türkiye’s centennial year with a focus on sustainability and development, I invite everyone who believes in the motto ‘There is Hope in the 100th Year’ to support the project and help pave the way for brighter days together.”

TOG General Manager Ayşe Kırımlı:

“After February 6, we believe that the solidarity initiated collectively by NGOs, the private sector, and public institutions must remain sustainable. The 100th Year Village is one of the most concrete and sustainable outcomes of this solidarity. Following the earthquake, we established 10 Support Centers in 5 cities. After completing their mission during the recovery period, these centers will transition into Youth Centers. Approximately 800,000 university students were affected by the earthquake. We aim to create spaces where they can grow individually and contribute to society through their projects. With the support of the Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF), our Youth Center on the Mustafa Kemal University campus will soon open, offering multipurpose workshop rooms, a computer lab, and study areas. Here, young people will strengthen their skills through various workshops, socialize, and implement social responsibility projects. Our goal is to reduce the negative impacts of the disaster together with young people. At TOG, we believe that young people always have the potential and energy to drive positive change for a better world. We are proud to be part of this meaningful project.