Valuable Experiences

Zeynep OSMANOĞLU's inspiring story of resilience and social harmonization

Zeynep Osmanoğlu is a Syrian woman who has faced not only the burdens of the conflict in her own country, but also the struggle for survival in a host community. Her story traces an individual resistance and hope beyond the suffering of war. In this interview, we are preparing to present an in-depth look at Zeynep's life perspective, inspired by her valuable experiences, which will address the challenges she has faced in her life and the process of discovering her inner strength.

We would like to get to know you. Can you tell us about yourself?

I was born in Aleppo, Syria in 1984. I graduated from Aleppo University, Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2010. Before coming to Türkiye, I worked as a Mechanical Engineer in Aleppo for five years. I met my husband there and got married. I gave birth to my first child in Syria. However, due to the effects of the war, my husband and I decided to leave our country and took refuge in Türkiye.

Why did you choose Türkiye and how did you settle in Istanbul?

We came here because we knew the warmth of Turkish people and because it was culturally close to us. We first settled in Gaziantep, then we moved to Istanbul and started to live in Bağcılar district.

After you started living in Istanbul, what was the process of learning Turkish and how did you decide to volunteer as an interpreter?

While living in Bağcılar, I learned how to read and write Turkish with the help of my Turkish neighbors. Later on, I decided to work as a volunteer interpreter in various institutions. I met members of the Bağcılar Women's Assembly at various events. After a strong bond was established between us, they accepted me as a member of the assembly. I took part in many projects and supported families in need.

I met the WALD Academy team at events organized by Bağcılar Municipality. In 2018, I had the opportunity to start working as an interpreter and social worker at Bağcılar Social Protection Desk. My desire to help refugees and provide social services was decisive for me to step into business life.

What were the effects of coming to Türkiye when your first child was 3 months old and starting a new life in Istanbul? Can you share with us the adaptation process of your children and your experiences in Istanbul?

I can say that coming to Türkiye when my first child was only 3 months old and giving birth to my second child in Türkiye helped us to integrate more deeply into Turkish culture. My children had the opportunity to learn the Turkish language at an early age and adapted to their environment faster. The experience of my Turkish-born child growing up has contributed to a more organic connection to Turkish culture.

What Osmanoğlu does now brings her together with other refugee women, enabling her to provide vital services, and also establishes her as a living example of resilience and community leadership. Osmanoğlu's journey is a testament to the strength and determination of individuals who are now committed to contributing to the fabric of the countries of which they are a part, looking for others to inspire. In her own words, she describes being a refugee in this journey as follows: "The story of those who start from scratch and succeed in life for the second time."