Mavi Kalem

Mavi Kalem, was founded in 2000 in the wake of the massive Turkish earthquake of 1999/2000 by a group of individuals who strongly believe that volunteer work can create positive social transformation. The mission of Mavi Kalem is twofold. First, to assist and empower rural immigrants as they encounter both the challenges and opportunities presented by Istanbul’s urban environment. Second, to train and support volunteer staff with the overall goal of encouraging social responsibility and volunteerism. Mavi Kalem strongly believes that every project has the potential to benefit both the target audience and the implementers. This is done through the free spread of information on culture, health, art, education, rural/ urban life, class, family and gender; that volunteerism brings about. Emphasis on women and children issues helps engender and maintain the awareness of a qualitative minority voice.