In the aftermath of disaster, the road to recovery can be long and challenging. However, by providing vital resources and support services, it's possible to help communities rebuild and heal. One year ago, we launched the Smiling Dreams Community House in the earthquake-impacted city of Hatay, Türkiye.
The Community House project was established through collaboration between Amazon and local organisations Be A Partner to My Dream Community and Serinyol Hand in Hand Aid Association. Together, we created a hub offering STEM education, therapy, psychosocial support, and more to assist those living with trauma.
Over the past year, the Smiling Dreams House exceeded its initial goals by reaching 2,532 beneficiaries, over 1,000 more than the 1,500 originally targeted. In addition, initiatives like the back-to-school backpack distribution by Amazon volunteers provided 1,730 children with essential supplies to start the academic year ahead.
The programmes had a positive impact on participants of all ages. Naz, aged 12, discovered coding: "I'm learning to build robots at the Coding My Dream workshop. I want to become a software engineer," he said. For nine-year-old Hilal Ege, art activities allowed self-expression. He said: "I discovered painting here and made new friends." Parents also saw growth, and noted increased self-confidence and the ability to cope with post-earthquake anxiety.
Based on the successful first year, we’re extending the Community House's operations for another 12 months before transitioning it to local NGOs. The goal is to reach over 4,000 total beneficiaries by providing comprehensive services tailored to this community's needs as it continues to recover.
The Smiling Dreams Community House has demonstrated how partnerships between corporations and local organisations can create lasting positive change in the wake of crises. By investing in education, mental health resources, and community support, it is possible to help rebuild resilient communities.
