Borusan Supports Career Journeys of Children and Youth Affected by the Earthquake at Defne Campus

Since the first day of the earthquake, Borusan Group has been making significant strides to revitalize social life in the affected region. As part of their efforts, the Okyanus Volunteering Borusans Platform, which includes Borusan employees volunteering their time, organized a special career day at the Sinemasal Academy Borusan Defne Campus in Hatay. During this special event, Borusan Group employees shared their experiences with the youth, and enjoyable workshop activities ensured a pleasant time for all participants.
 

Following the earthquake last year, Borusan Group has implemented various programs and events to contribute to the social and economic well-being of the region. The Okyanus Volunteering Borusans platform has been actively involved since the early days of the disaster, working to normalize social life by connecting the local community, especially the youth and children, with different organizations.
 

In this context, the Okyanus Volunteering Borusans Platform organized a special career day at the Sinemasal Academy Borusan Defne Campus in Hatay. Workshops including yoga, painting, hopscotch, chess, holograms, and basket weaving were held for children and youth. Following these fun activities, a graduation ceremony was also conducted. Additionally, Borusan employees from various fields shared their educational and career experiences with the youth in Hatay.
 

Nursel Ölmez Ateş, Group President of Human Resources, Communications, and Sustainability at Borusan Holding, stated, “After the great disaster we experienced on February 6, we launched the Sinemasal Academy Borusan Defne Campus project not only to address the material needs of the people in the earthquake region but also to provide moral support. Along with our recent career day event, we conducted special activities for children and youth. Our Sinemasal Academy Borusan Defne Campus has become a special coordination center where we have implemented many benefit projects within approximately 1.5 years. Through the events held at the campus, we have reached about 35,000 people to date. More than 100 Okyanus Volunteering Borusans have been involved in the campus, and over 60 workshops have been conducted. As Borusan, we will continue our benefit-focused efforts to ensure comprehensive recovery in the earthquake-affected region.”
 

Enes Kaya, Founder and Chairman of Sinemasal stated, “At Sinemasal, we work to find effective and sustainable solutions to societal needs, and for the past 12 years, we have utilized the healing power of art for this purpose. Since the first day after the earthquake, which left deep and challenging wounds, we have been in Hatay to support the well-being of people. With our cultural, artistic, and educational support programs, we have established Sinemasal Academy campuses in Antakya, Defne, and Samandağ to support the local community, especially children and youth. We highly value the Sinemasal Academy Borusan Defne Campus, which we have brought to life in collaboration with Borusan Group, which has been accompanying us on our journey for many years. Through our collaboration with Okyanus Volunteering Borusans under the slogan ‘we will heal together,’ we have implemented many valuable projects. One of the most valuable outcomes of these efforts has been the success of the youth we prepared for the LGS and YKS exams, both in Hatay and across Turkey.”
 

Awards for the Project from Turkey and Around the World
 

The Sinemasal Academy Borusan Defne Campus project, developed by Borusan with a focus on sustainable benefit, won two significant awards at the Gönülden Awards organized by the Association of Private Sector Volunteers. The project was honored in the “Most Effective Civil Society Organization and Private Sector Collaboration” category, and its volunteering film won first place in the “Best Value-Added Video” category. Borusan also carried this success to the international stage, winning a silver award in the “Philanthropic Company of the Year” category at the Globee Awards - 2024 Golden Bridge Awards program.
 

About Okyanus Volunteering Borusans
 

Founded in 2008, the Okyanus Volunteering Borusans Platform was established to enable Borusans to apply their knowledge and skills through a volunteering approach and contribute to society through benefit projects. The platform prioritizes collaboration with local communities, civil society organizations, and local governments in all projects while focusing on climate, people, and innovation in their volunteering efforts.
 

Detailed information: Ogilvy / Ayşenur Bozal / 0530 605 96 36 / aysenur.bozal@ogilvy.com