Dear First name / friend of Bridge to Türkiye,

 

We’d like to introduce you to a project that aims not only to revive a region’s wounded economy but also to breathe new life into the future of Türkiye’s workforce.

 

On February 6, 2023, two catastrophic earthquakes struck İskenderun, a thriving economic hub in Türkiye’s Hatay province. One of the hardest-hit institutions was İskenderun Technical University’s Vocational School (IMYO)—one of the cornerstones of Türkiye’s industrial workforce, preparing thousands of students for key sectors like manufacturing and construction for nearly half a century.

 

Since the earthquakes, IMYO has stood in ruins, leaving a gap of at least 800 graduates in Türkiye’s workforce development annually. But with your support, we can rebuild IMYO and create brighter prospects for Türkiye’s industrial future.

 

At the Bridge to Türkiye Fund (BTF), we’ve partnered with the Eymir Culture Foundation (ECF) and are leveraging the expertise of Middle East Technical University (METU) alumni to bring IMYO back to life. Together, we’ve already rebuilt the Mechanical and Metallurgy buildings, the campus cafeteria, and the main square. In the next phase, we aim to restore the facilities for the Cartography and Construction Technology programs.

 

Your contribution is a key building block in this historic revival. Every dollar you donate will be matched by BTF, up to $250,000—doubling your impact in helping us rebuild IMYO and secure Türkiye’s future workforce.