“He brought it all crashing down on me. Everything changed in a day.”
Filiz’s world came crashing down when her husband walked out on her. Leaving her to raise their 4 sons alone.
She worked various jobs to provide for her children – working in the fields, in a factory and as a house cleaner.
Filiz was just about managing when she was diagnosed with cancer.
“Psychologically, I was devastated. My situation was very critical," Filiz says.
Despite her own difficulties, Filiz’s main concern was her children.
“What will they do if I die? As a mother, I needed to strive for my children, I needed to fight for them.” she says.
Filiz embraces her 7-year-old twins Güney and Yusuf
Thankfully, today, Filiz’s medical treatment is going well. But with the treatment taking such a toll on her body she's struggled to provide for her family.
“I have been both mother and father to my children. If I didn’t have cancer, I would work at anything and somehow earn a living. But this disease is pushing me hard.”
Fortunately, with the help of generous donors, GOAL’s team in Turkey are supporting Filiz and her family in their time of need.
GOALie Ceylan and her team have been providing Filiz and her family with vital support
Filiz has joined GOAL’s training programme to help her find sustainable work. And while she looks for work GOAL teams are supporting the family with food, clothing and shelter.
“GOAL’s support has been very crucial for me,” Filiz says.
Despite their ongoing challenges, she hopes her children will be able to enjoy the opportunities she missed out on as a child.
“I always tell my kids to finish school and go to university. You need to save yourself. I’m trying to raise them to become the best version of themselves in spite of the poverty.”
GOALie Ceylan, has been working with Filiz and her family in recent months. She’s proud to see the improvement in Filiz’s life.
“When I first met her a year ago, she was lacking the confidence to move forward. But she’s become stronger and looks to the future more fearlessly.” Ceylan says.
"Working with women like Filiz, I relish my work with more excitement and hope.”
GOAL's work in the Middle East with families like Filiz's is only possible with the support of generous donors.
GOALie Ceylan and her team have been providing Filiz and her family with vital support
Supporting families in urgent need
Across the globe conflict and climate change are pushing millions of families like Filiz's into poverty.
In East Africa communities are being ravaged by the worst drought in over 40 years. In Haiti millions of people are suffering due to food shortages and the outbreak of cholera. Conflict has driven over 13 million people from their homes in Ukraine. Millions more are under siege in Gaza.
The news headlines may change but with your support GOAL teams continue to be there when vulnerable communities need us most;
- providing nutritious food and clean water to families in urgent need
- delivering shelter, blankets and heating for people who have lost their homes
- providing healthcare and psychosocial support for devastated communities
- helping families to escape poverty with training and educational programmes
How You Can Help
GOAL teams are working on the ground with local communities to provide life-saving aid.
With your support, GOAL teams can deliver essential supplies to families in need;
- €20 can deliver thermal blankets to keep a family warm in the bitter cold
- €25 can provide a family with hygiene kits to help prevent the spread of disease and infection
- €100 can feed a family of 5 for a month
- €200 can provide a tent to shelter a family of 5
Impact in Numbers
14.6 million
people supported annually across 14 countries
2.2 million
people reached through emergency response
3.6 million
people accessing sustainable safe drinking water
1.9 million
people provided with food and improved nutrition
We are a family with a common goal: to save lives and create lasting change. To be there when vulnerable communities need us most.
Sahady Mencia, GOAL Honduras
