Our Projects
Upcoming and Ongoing Projects
Echoes of Resilience: Unveiling the Stories of Devastation, Survival and Hope
After the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in February 2023, survivors continue to face mounting challenges. Despite initial aid efforts, their struggles persist, their traumas are unimaginable, and their voices often go unheard. They feel already forgotten.
​
Zeru co-founders visited the area five months after the earthquake and again around the time of its anniversary and witnessed that these survivors have stories to tell. They want to be heard. Zeru Foundation, in collaboration with courageous women from the heart of the devastation, is bringing their stories to the world, one exhibit at a time.
​
Mark your calendars for September-October 2024. Plymouth State University hosts our first exhibit, as we unveil tales of strength, vulnerability, and unwavering hope. Witness firsthand the artifacts and narratives that showcase the invincible spirit of those affected by the earthquake. Together, let's ensure these stories are not forgotten; stand in solidarity with the survivors; and amplify their voices across borders.
Gaziantep Model: Integrated Mother-Child Healthcare for Post-Disaster Healthy Communities (in Collaboration with Gaziantep University, Gaziantep Provincial Health Directorate and Gaziantep Municipality)
Zeru Foundation, in collaboration with Gaziantep University, Provincial Health Directorate and Municipality, developed a post-disaster healthcare model with the aim to contribute to the creation of a collaborative and effective healthcare system that prioritizes the well-being of children, families, and healthcare professionals. With the help of a hybrid structure (combining mobile and fixed healthcare services) the project approaches public health from a holistic physical and mental health perspective. While the initial goal is post-disaster relief, the long-term objectives include contributing to overall public health of communities.
​
The integrative model aspires to achieve the following objectives:
1. Foster collaboration among various agencies and nonprofit organizations within the community.
2. Support a comprehensive healthcare system that includes both mobile and fixed units, as well as well-trained staff.
3. Collect data on maternal and child mortality rates and identify the needs in areas of maternal, infant, child health.
4.Assess relevant healthcare staff burnout.
5. Develop targeted interventions and training programs that focus on improving maternal and child health, address social determinants of health, and reduce burnout among medical personnel.
6. Carry out these initiatives in partnership with local institutions, national and international agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Past Projects
Zeru’s inaugural Empowering Women to Shape the Future: Child Caregiver/Parent Supporter Training Program took place in January 2024 in Gaziantep, Turkiye. During this phase of the program sixteen highly accomplished educators shared their expertise and knowledge with thirty resilient earthquake survivor women.
Participants not only gained expertise in childrearing but also learned to nurture the growth of children and families in a holistic, trauma-informed manner through information on early brain development and relational health. In addition to focusing on physical and mental well-being of children and mothers, the program also addressed the issues of community building, leadership development, and economic independence among women.
Beyond mere instruction, the training served as a platform for sharing experiences, wisdom, and stories for the participants. Zeru extends profound gratitude for the invaluable contributions, enriching the journey with each shared insight and delicious meal.
A seed of empowerment was sown, and it is already growing, tended by the very hands that once sought guidance. This inaugural endeavor embodies the essence of our mission: "Cultivating Resilient Communities: One child, one woman, one family at a time."