Fridays have a special place at PEAKUP. Through our Friday Talks sessions, we come together not only with one another, but also with inspiring guests who open new perspectives for us. This week, education was at the heart of our conversation. We welcomed Hande Melek Dönmez, Fundraising and Business Development Director at Okul Destek Derneği (School Support Association), and listened to the association’s work to support children’s access to quality education.
From a Small Group of Volunteers to Thousands of Students
Founded in April 2020 by volunteers who believe that every child has the right to access quality education, Okul Destek Derneği has grown steadily since its establishment. Today, it has become a fully digital education community that reaches thousands of students every week with the support of hundreds of volunteer instructors.
The association offers equal access to 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students attending public middle schools, without discrimination. Its support in mathematics, science, Turkish, English, computer science and software is provided entirely free of charge through an online model. The program is sustained by the contributions of individuals and institutions that believe in education, creating a model built on long-term social solidarity.
A Holistic Learning Experience Beyond Academic Support
Hande Melek Dönmez’s insights showed that Okul Destek Derneği defines its educational approach far beyond academic tutoring. The association offers a holistic learning experience that supports students’ academic progress together with their social, cognitive and personal development. In small classes of 8 to 10 students, the learning process is shaped by carefully prepared content developed by the association’s full-time teachers, while its interactive and year-round structure encourages students to take an active role in their own learning journey.
As part of this vision, the association integrates practices that go beyond conventional teaching methods. Through P4C (Philosophy for Children) instructor training, volunteers are supported in facilitating more qualified thinking processes with children. With the Systems Thinking in Education approach, students are encouraged to understand complex topics from a broader and more connected perspective. In this way, Okul Destek Derneği nurtures curiosity, inquiry and critical thinking, especially in core subjects such as mathematics and science.
Mentorship as a Bridge Between Volunteers and Professionals
One of the most meaningful topics of our conversation was the association’s mentorship program. Named “Kuşaklar Arası Gelişim Köprüsü”, the program brings university student volunteers together with experienced professionals from the business world. Through this structure, Okul Destek Derneği supports not only children’s educational journeys, but also the career development of young volunteers who are preparing for their professional lives.
This approach turns volunteering into a multi-dimensional ecosystem. Students, volunteers and mentors learn from one another, creating a sustainable cycle of development that extends the association’s impact beyond one-way support.
Volunteering Is Open to More Than Teachers
Another key point highlighted by Hande Melek Dönmez was the accessible nature of volunteering. Supporting a child’s educational journey does not require being a teacher. Anyone who can provide support in at least one subject from the middle school curriculum, has strong communication skills, can dedicate a few hours each week and is comfortable using technology can become a volunteer instructor. Before starting, volunteers also take part in instructor training, which helps them create a more effective learning environment while contributing to their own personal and professional development.
With Our Thanks to Okul Destek Derneği
For us, one of the most valuable parts of this Friday Talks session was gaining a deeper understanding of the strong meaning behind the message “Sen varsan eğitimin #devamıgelecek”. Listening to the model that Okul Destek Derneği has built around volunteering, solidarity and sustainable educational support reminded us once again how even seemingly small contributions can make a lasting difference in a student’s learning journey.
We sincerely thank Okul Destek Derneği for this valuable and inspiring conversation. We hope this meaningful work, which contributes to equal opportunities in education, continues to reach more children.
