In the beginning there were 2 Turkish students who ventured in the Philippines to learn English and establish a study center in Manila. Their first sight of homeless families in the streets triggered a sense of responsibility that extended their vision to help in all possible ways; through involving their families, communities and networks in Turkiye. Then it was decided to set up an institution that will adress three major challenges in the country;
– poverty
– Conflict
– Education
Feeding the poor:
In 2003, 6 goats were slaughtered to mark the Eid’l adha or Feast of sacrifice. Through the years, till 2023, thousands of cattle have been sacrificed to feed around 6,250,000 needy families.
Student Scholarships / Access to education;
From facilitating provision of shelter and food, in the last 5 years, TUFIFSA has broadened its services to students by providing scholarships as well both in some areas in the Philippines and Filipino students studying in Turkiye and other countries .
Travel Opportunities:
Over the years, TUFIFSA has helped with bringing students, professionals and leaders to Turkiye and to some Southeast Asian countries to enhance learning, promote friendship and solidarity.
Values formation seminars and camps:
TUFIFSA believes that the development of united communities begins with individuals with a strong faith in God and moral values. Thus, the first center to cater to this need was established in Manila in 2003, and through the years, centers were also established in Zamboanga, Basilan, Marawi, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.
Towards the same goal of strengthening faith and building morality, lectures, seminars, fora have been held in various universities, colleges, schools and other public venues.
From 2003, there was only the desire to serve and a few committed individuals. From 2009, when TUFIFSA was established and officially registered, the range of services and number of communities served increased, and the donors and sponsors, individuals and organizations, both varied.
Partnering Organizations;
– Care Dernegi
– IHH- NL
– Aziz Mahmut Hudayi Vakfi
– Turk Kizilayi
– TIKA
– Amal Saliha Australia
– Garden of Sincere Belgium
“Spiritual Dynamics”
“Spiritual Dynamics” are the reflections of the principles adopted by our volunteers in their individual and social lives in the context of our vision and mission. We can share some of these dynamics that guide our activities as follows:
1- Sincerity and Truthfulness
To free oneself from arrogance and ostentation by knowing that every action and every good result comes from the Lord of the Worlds, with the sole purpose of seeking divine approval. To work sincerely and with honesty based on the principle that religion is sincerity.
2- Collective Team Spirit (Spiritual Personality)
In our cause, to refrain from all forms of selfishness centered on “I” and ego, and to avoid self-centeredness and pride. To avoid self-satisfaction and act with a collective team consciousness by saying “we.”
3- Possessing the Virtue of “Isar”
To take the example of the “Isar” virtue, which was bestowed upon the Companions as a commendation of Quranic praise, meaning to prefer others to oneself in accepting gifts and alms, and to abstain from seeking material benefits in return for religious service, not requesting or desiring any material benefit that comes in return for religious service, but rather accepting it as a divine favor without gratitude to people. Because nothing should be sought in return for religious service in this world to maintain sincerity. However, they have rights, so that the community can provide for their livelihood. They are also entitled to receive alms, but it should not be requested; it should be given willingly. When given, it should not be said, “This is the reward for my service.” As far as possible, prefer the needs of others who are more competent and deserving to your own needs.
4- Always Act Positively
To act positively, not negatively, and to stand against all kinds of anarchy and chaos… to consider God’s pleasure, patience, and perseverance as the essence of our services.
5- Enthusiasm and Sacrifice
There will be those who sacrifice the comfort of the future. To see running to the aid of oppressed nations with enthusiasm, love, and excitement as a great favor placed on our shoulders by divine mercy, not as a burden.
6- Compassion
To spread our wings of compassion as far as possible for the oppressed, the stranded, the orphan, and the ignorant, so that our Compassionate Lord, the Rahman, may have mercy and show us compassion. We will be gentle hands wiping away the tears of oppressed believers, tender hearts embracing orphans, and homes protecting refugees whose hearths have gone cold. We will be concerned and strive to find solutions for their problems. We will come with our concerns, and we will be motivated by our concerns.
7- Competence / Qualification
To build all our efforts on the basis of competence and qualification.
8- Sense of Responsibility
As true Muslims, knowing that we can be deceived but do not deceive, to record all our deeds first to our Lord, who is aware of everything, and to fulfill our responsibilities towards the Turkish nation and our Government with the utmost diligence.
9- Justice
To work on the basis of justice, staying away from all kinds of excess and extremism in our local and international activities.
10- Knowledge and Wisdom
To work towards creating a climate of knowledge where knowledge accumulates and turns into action. To aim for positive change in behavior.
11- Courage and Perseverance
The believer is honorable. We will be courageous. As we work for the sake of Allah, we will persevere without compromising on what we know is right for the believers, seeking refuge in our Lord from all kinds of arrogance and pride.
12- Insight and Steadfastness
Every incident has an outward and an inward aspect. We will try to see the traces, essence, and face of our Lord’s names in everything, and strive to live and maintain the verse “So remain steadfast as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah ],” in our deeds and in the way we lead our lives.
13- Etiquette and Grace
To behave with good manners, chastity, discipline, gentleness, politeness, and moderation in words and actions, covering every aspect of life.
14- Transparency and Accountability
To record all kinds of information about our foundation’s activities in a timely, correct, complete, understandable, interpretable, and easily accessible manner, and to share it with relevant individuals when necessary.
15- Avoiding Waste and Luxury
To use earnings and owned assets properly and to refrain from extravagant, harmful, and illegitimate ways of spending Vakıf resources, and to avoid excessive and unnecessary spending.
16- Effort and Seriousness
At the beginning of our efforts, there should be effort, during production there should be dignity and seriousness, and at the end, there should be humility. We should increase our effort, seeking refuge in our Lord from all forms of arrogance and pride.
17- Education
Many NGOs engage in various charitable activities, but the number of institutions that provide quality and widespread education, which is the solution to the bleeding wound of the ummah, is very limited. Any movement that wants to promise the future is obliged to invest in the field of education and instruction. Çare Vakfı aims to institutionalize by working with educational institutions to ensure the sustainability of aid in the countries where it provides aid.
18- Public Interest
To prioritize the benefit of the ummah over our personal interests, whatever the circumstances may be. Not to spare any effort for the personal benefit.
19- Consultation
To manage our foundation with collective wisdom, considering the Quranic command “and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves.”
20- Sense of Trust
To consider every position, rank, benefit, and favor entrusted to us within the foundation as being temporary and perishable, and to preserve it with a sense of responsibility, knowing that it is fleeting and secondly to think of the maximum benefit principle by preserving it with a sense of responsibility, considering it as a divine favor