Can we make a toy out of a dish sponge? Yes we can! Any object can be used as a toy if a child and a mother can establish a quality relationship even if they live in a restricted area with limited resources.

The “I am free” Project was implemented for 0-6 age group children who stayed with their mothers in prisons by TOÇEV (Tüvana Okuma İstekli Çocuk Eğitim Vakfı) in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Centers and WIF (Worldview Impact Foundation). The main objective was to enable mothers and children establish a quality relationship, and to help mothers develop better motherhood skills and use their time with their children more effectively. Within the scope of the project, seven prisons were visited regularly every month and trainings were organized for mothers who stay with their children and for officials and guards in the facilities.

The “I am Free” Project ended with a press and closing meeting in Istanbul on January 14, 2016.

TOÇEV’s Vice Chairman of the Board Betül Mermertaş mentioned that they were very happy for implementing the project they had been dreaming of for five years and they would continue working on the same topic through the grant they had received under Sivil Society Dialogue’s fourth phase. She provided information about the results of the project and mentioned that they trained 608 mothers, 610 children, and 364 officials and guards in 10 months.

The Branch Manager from the Ministry of Justice General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Centers, Emrullah Özger said that while public resources existed on one side of the services provided for 0-6 age group children who stay with their mothers in prisons, civil society organizations existed on the other side.

The project director from WIF (Worldview Impact Foundation) Dr. Bremley W. B. Lyngdoh mentioned that meeting the needs of children now would have an impact on the future of countries.

Following the press conference, project field staff and research staff presented the project process, trainings performed and research methods used. It was also mentioned that scientific reports are planned to be published using the impact assessment reports.

The meeting ended with the project sustainability workshop. Suggestions for the upcoming activities in the new phase were developed during the workshop.

For more information about the project, please visit http://civilsocietydialogue.org/project/ozgurlugum-projesi/