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Help Build a School

On August 17, 1999 a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Sea of Marmara in Turkey devastating several surrounding towns, villages and cities. Approximately 30,000 people died and many children were left either parentless or homeless. In May 2008, during a visit to Adapazari, one of the most seriously hit towns, I visited a Primary School in the village of Çaykişla which was hurriedly put together after the earthquake but was never properly rebuilt. The conditions were appalling – the temporary building had the smell of sewer throughout; classrooms sized for 24 students housed up to 45; the library consisted of merely forty books;  a leaky roof; no lunch room, not to mention a host of other health and environmental related hazards.

The Ministry of Education has dedicated a two acres site near the existing Çaykişla School for its replacement however the lack of State funds has precluded the construction of the new school. My wife Ayse and I will be personally donating a portion of the $500,000 total budget required to build a new 13,000 square foot Primary School which will include grades 1 through 8 and accommodate 240 students.

To help raise the rest of the funds I have established the Porcaro Education Fund. This Fund is a sub-fund of the Turkish Philanthropic Fund (TPF, www.tpfund.org) which is a New York based public charity classified “tax exempt” under section 501 (c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code. This status ensures that all donors receive maximum tax benefit allowed by US law.

Ayse and I would greatly appreciate your personal or corporate support in realizing this most worthwhile charitable endeavor.

Sincerely,

Ayse and Nick Porcaro

• Funding Need for Extras

  Contingency and extras funding goal has been reached. Thanks to all who supported the cause.

  

• Mission Accomplished

  Construction fundraising has reached its goal, thanks to all who supported the cause.

  

• Project Mission

  A devastating earthquake left many children from the villages of Caykisla, Seyh and Saricalar victimized and in many cases orphaned. These bright and eager children need a school where their young minds will develop to more fully realize their innate potential. The intent of this project is to build a new Primary School in the Village of Çaykişla by August 2009, the 10-year anniversary of the earthquake. To be part of this worthy effort is a debt due from our past to future generations.

   

  education is a right not a privilege

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