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The TDP is a project by Bilkent students which allows
students to volunteer in several activities, such as
tutoring elementary school students in underprivileged
areas, teaching sports, art, and computer classes, or
visiting elderly people in retirement homes. Bilkent
News interviewed Vehbi Çelme (IE/II) about one of the
biggest volunteer organizations on campus, Toplumsal
Duyarlılık Projeleri and their future plans.
Bilkent News:
When and how did the idea of Toplumsal Duyarlılık
Projeleri (Social Awareness Project) first appear at
Bilkent?
Vehbi Çelme:
TDP, following the 1999 Marmara Earthquake, began its
activities with the GEP "Voluntary Education Project,"
which aimed to serve the people by providing them with
educational means. Every semester and every academic
year, new projects were added to the agenda of TDP. We
currently have 9 projects.
Bilkent News:
GEP (Volunteer Education Project) appears to be the
first project to be remembered when we say TDP. Except
for the GEP, for instance, are plans being made to make
a structural change in the Senior Citizen Home Project?
Vehbi Çelme:
The Senior Citizen Home Project, as you know, is the
most unusual project within the scope of TDP because we
came across a focus group consisting of experienced and
older people. This project reminds our focus group of
their past and our volunteers realize that one day they
themselves will also grow old which makes this project
emotionally draining. So this year, the Senior Citizen
Home Project will be open to all volunteers of TDP,
instead of a smaller group of people.
Bilkent News:
Because there is a high demand for volunteering in the
Voluntary
Education Project, is there a plan to increase the
number of schools participating this year?
Vehbi Çelme:
Rather than an increase, we plan to decrease the number
of schools to ensure that we are providing a
higher-quality service. Also, since Bilkent has a heavy
course load and most departments have hard curricula, we
do not want to discourage people from volunteering
because of their course loads. Last year, we worked with
13 schools but at times we lacked coordination and
cooperation. Decreasing the number will definitely
increase the quality.
Bilkent News:
Most Bilkenters do not know the relationship between TOG
(Toplum Gönüllüleri) and TDP. How can you explain what
TOG is and what it stands for?
Vehbi Çelme:
Toplum Gönüllüleri Vakfı (Social Volunteers Foundation)
is a nationwide charity foundation, working for the
benefit of Turkish people in general. For this reason,
some people view TDP as a subgroup within TOG.
Nevertheless, TDP is the general name for all social
awareness projects at Bilkent, and TOG is an autonomous
group just as are other project groups within TDP.
Bilkent News:
Lastly I would like to ask about the Görme Engelliler
Projesi (Visually Impaired Project). This project is
widely known in Turkey, and is really fascinating.
Vehbi Çelme:
GÖREP is also a different project, with a focus group
consisting of visually-impaired people, and is also a
challenging project that requires much more
responsibility.
Bilkent News:
The thing is how to establish a sense of empathy, isn't
it?
Vehbi Çelme:
…Yes, empathy. The thing is when you imagine yourself in
the shoes of those people, sometimes you can feel sorry
but you also realize how lucky you are, with all of the
chances you have.
Bilkent News:
As Bilkent News, thanks very much for this interview. We
wish you luck and success in your studies this semester.
Vehbi Çelme:
You're welcome, thanks for coming.
If you are interested in volunteering with TDP, please
contact them at
ext. 1550
or
2157.
Erkan Bayır (MBG/III) |