# Turkish educational campaign for Gaza children > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-educational-campaign-for-gaza-children > Updated: 2026-09-18T05:46:00.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 4. The Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB) initiated a nationwide awareness campaign titled ‘Let the Kites Not Be Shot, Let the Sky Remain for Children’ to mark the 2026-2027 academic year. Directed by Minister Yusuf Tekin, the program was designed to highlight the plight of children affected by global conflict, with a specific focus on Gaza. Following the announcement, the campaign was implemented across 81 provinces. Participants, including students, families, and educators, engaged in activities such as flying kites decorated in Turkish and Palestinian colors. In cities like Batman, Bitlis, Eskişehir, and Edirne, the events served as symbolic messages of peace and solidarity. Local officials and academic leaders, such as Eskişehir Osmangazi University Rector Prof. Dr. Emine Gümüşsoy, noted the humanitarian importance of the initiative, describing the situation in Gaza as ‘a wound to the human conscience.’ As the campaign expanded, events were held in Kırıkkale and Istanbul. In Kırıkkale, Governor Hüseyin Engin Sarıibrahim stated the festival aimed to instill values of justice, conscience, and freedom in children. In Istanbul, students gathered at the Bosphorus to fly flag-decorated kites. Istanbul Provincial Director of National Education Murat Mücahit Yentür noted that the goal was to foster sensitivity in children and expressed hope for a world built on mercy and justice. He further described the suffering of children in Gaza as ‘a dark stain on the history of humanity.’ Recent activities have extended to Çorum, where students gathered at landmarks like the Koyunbaba Bridge to fly kites and release balloons. The campaign also incorporated direct testimony; Sawsan Alsultani, a university student from Gaza, participated in a virtual talk at Hitit University in Çorum. Similar awareness programs have since been reported in Van, Kars, Konya, Bayburt, Gümüşhane, and Burdur. ## Claims - The Burhaniye District Directorate of National Education coordinated the kite festival. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The project was planned by the Ministry of National Education. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The project is titled ‘Uçurtmalar Vurulmasın, Gökyüzü Çocuklara Kalsın!’ (Don’t Shoot the Kites, Let the Sky Belong to the Children!). (corroborated by 3 sources) - The event included participation from local schools, students, teachers, and parents. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Burhaniye District Governor Cumali Atilla attended the festival. (corroborated by 3 sources) - District Director of National Education Bora Zihni attended the festival. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-18: Turkey hosts nationwide kite festivals for children's rights and Gaza solidarity The Turkish Ministry of National Education organized kite festivals across 81 provinces to promote children's rights and express solidarity with children in Gaza through messages of peace and hope. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/burhaniye-hosts-kite-festival-for-childrens-rights ### 2026-09-15: Turkey holds kite-flying events in solidarity with Gaza children Students across various Turkish cities and Istanbul held kite-flying events to show solidarity with children in Gaza, advocating for peace and child rights under the slogan ‘Let the sky remain for the children’ 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-students-fly-kites-in-gaza-solidarity-events ### 2026-09-13: Turkey launches nationwide kite campaign for Gaza children The Turkish Ministry of National Education launched a nationwide kite-flying campaign across 81 provinces to raise awareness for children's rights and show solidarity with children in Gaza. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/batman-children-fly-kites-in-solidarity-with-gaza ### 2026-09-04: Turkish Ministry of National Education launches Gaza awareness campaign Turkey's Ministry of National Education will host nationwide kite-flying and art events from September 14-18, 2026, to raise awareness for children affected by war, particularly in Gaza. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-ministry-of-national-education-launches-gaza-awareness-campaign --- Cite as: Turkish educational campaign for Gaza children. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-educational-campaign-for-gaza-children