Interview- Zeynep Atasoy
Rabia Selvanur Şanlı, a senior student at Üsküdar University, Department of Sociology, worked as a photographer in the earthquake zone with Children Of The Earth Association during the earthquake, which is called the disaster of the century. She talked about the experiences of earthquake victims and her experiences in the earthquake zone.
What was it like to be on the ground with the Earth Children’s Association (YEÇED) during this disaster?
YEÇED is an organization that thinks that all children in the world are the same and that each of them should have equal access to opportunities. At this point, their goal is to strive to minimize inequality of opportunity. Based on YEÇED’s mission, we went to Adıyaman to provide psychosocial support to children in the earthquake zone. Although the sole mission of the association that set out with this desire was to take care of children, unfortunately, there were very few institutions in Adıyaman and there was no proper functioning. Since I had prepared myself for the worst before going, I always felt the responsibility of representing YEÇED in moments of difficulty. The ten days I was in the earthquake zone were rare times in my life when I felt that I was really doing something.
Can you tell us about an event you witnessed in the earthquake zone that affected you?
What is the most important thing to know while working in the field?
The most important thing that a volunteer who goes to the field should definitely know is that they are not the subject. You don’t go there to be someone’s hero. It should not be forgotten that you are only there for a certain period of time to reinforce your well-being. Of course, you have to prioritize your own well-being in this whole process.
I did photography in the field, children love to be photographed. I have been a photographer for six years, but I took the most valuable shots here, very special shots for me. We also distributed food in the earthquake zone, took care of children, and took people who needed to go to the hospital urgently to the hospital. In short, we did whatever was needed in the field. Of course, it was very good that there were NGOs there. But contrary to appearances, NGOs were not working in peace there. I think people’s voices were not fully heard because this situation was closed with great pressure. It is a pleasure to be good for people. We need to remember that each of us is an earthquake survivor candidate. These people were no different from us. Each of them had families, homes and routine lives. Until February 6. No matter how much time passes, I think we should all work big and small to heal these wounds.
