Big Joys in Small Bags: A Volunteer's Perspective

Alhamdulillah Rabbil Alamin. The most beautiful and blessed of praises belong to Allah.

It is truly difficult to put into words everything this journey has left inside me. But I wanted to share with you some moments that deeply affected me and changed my perspective on many things. I never thought that one day I would visit villages so far away from where I live and meet such beautiful children.

Even though they live in remote villages and do not have most of the opportunities and facilities we have, there was always a smile on the children's faces. They were full of life and full of energy.

One of the things that impressed me the most was how they welcomed even the simplest things with such great happiness and gratitude. Things that might seem very ordinary or small to us were very valuable to them.

Watching the eyes of one of the children sparkle with happiness when they opened their bag and saw the stationery inside was an unforgettable moment for me. Each of them thanked us over and over again, constantly expressing how happy they were.

They hugged us, reflecting how happy they were to see us there by spending time with us. Even before we started distributing the bags, they wanted to play with us, talk about their dreams, and share the difficulties they were experiencing. Some are still living in container homes because their houses were destroyed in the earthquake.

We cannot live focusing solely on our own lives and our own problems. All of this made me rethink the things I have and my responsibilities as a human being, and especially as a Muslim.

This journey reminded me that life is not just about the little world we trap ourselves in.

Every time I looked out the car window and saw the endless lands and high mountains, I thought about how sometimes I fit myself into such a small world. Yet, the life, opportunities, and beauties Allah offers us are much greater than we imagine.

From the first moment I met the children, I felt something reawaken in my heart. I kept saying to myself, "I must do everything I can, and even more, to ensure this is not the last time."

And while talking about this journey, I cannot pass without mentioning the wonderful team that made this experience so much more special for me. I learned something new from every single person on the team. I saw what true team spirit means, how we can support each other, and how everyone's small contribution can turn into something great.

Regardless of anyone's condition, they made completing the tasks a priority, and no one fell short of doing their part. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the Islamic Relief Türkiye team.

May Allah be pleased with everyone who contributed.